innovation that present organisations with vital operational insights and boundless business value . The cost-effective inter-connected devices and sensors can be embedded into virtually anything , providing business-critical data about products , vehicles , and other assets . It helps to create innovative ways for new technologies , materials , and processes to elevate project delivery and the life-cycle performance of buildings , from inception to asset decommission .
In meeting the changing landscape brought on by the impact of global megatrends that are drastically transforming the way businesses operate , it necessitates organisations to undertake an imminent transformational shift in order to remain relevant for many years ahead . From the perspective of the construction industry , the impact of these external driving forces will indeed be profound , widespread and long-lasting . As such , the challenges stemming from key megatrends , including Industrial Revolution 4.0 , Urbanisation , Sustainability , Agile Governance and Technological Innovation , cannot be overlooked and should not be addressed in isolation .
The depth and complexity of the resultant and inevitable security challenges posed by these megatrends will demand fundamentally ‘ whole of society ’ solutions . These solutions must leverage the technological , collaborative , and commercial benefits facilitated by the megatrends . All potential value chains in construction industries will require a concerted effort across the board , from technology , operations and strategy to personnel and regulation . Various mitigation strategies and many of the challenges need to be tackled collectively , including establishing new forms of collaboration .
In the face of such formidable challenges , the future transformation of the engineering and construction industry will have major transformative effects on the wider demands , especially on the environment , by making buildings more eco-efficient over time , reducing construction costs , and improving the use of scarce materials . The industry should anticipate these changes and apply creativity and innovation to stay ahead of the critical issues they will present .
Appropriate and concrete mitigating actions should be considered , including streamlining programmes and facility management procedures and enhancing quality and safety measures . Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) is a game-changing technology that has a significant impact on the world , and its potential to transform the project and facility management industry through its application is enormous .
Artificial Intelligence in Project and Facility Management
Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), at its core , is a source of unlimited potential and advantages that increases innovation , eliminates redundant costs , and streamlines business processes . These are made possible through the principle of machine learning where a machine mimics human cognitive functions such as problem-solving , learning and pattern recognition . Looking from the lens of the construction industry , particularly the project and facility management domain , AI provides the capability to imitate sound human intelligence functions in resolving , interpreting , analysing and explaining built environment-related problems in real-world domains .
The need for AI in future construction is crucial , due to the decision-making problems that typically occur in construction projects , resulting from precise subdivisions of project processes and functions , due to the complexities and varieties of current construction projects . A well-designed AI system can rapidly adapt to a much wider range of circumstances based on known or unknown conditions , while progressively assimilating their innate ability to estimate or assess certain outcomes of risk .
The advent of AI is a product of the confluence of technology and knowledge , enabling a seamless alignment between processes , organisations and products , thereby facilitating a heightened level of co-ordination . The integration of technology unites disparate fields of pre-existing technology , reliant on Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) systems , which are judiciously employed in product design , production planning , real-time monitoring of construction processes , supervision of transportation equipment during execution , and web-based as well as mobile application communication systems for sites . As such , the use
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