Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national trade association for the construction industry, has announced the release of its artificial intelligence (AI) technology guide for the construction industry, which includes definitions, construction use cases and considerations.

According to its creators, the purpose of the guide, “AI in Construction — What Does It Mean for Our Contractors?” is to provide a level of knowledge to ensure contractors can be active participants in the construction AI conversation.

“ABC helps members realize the potential of AI, which helps contractors complete projects on time, minimize staffing challenges, save money and improve health and safety,” said Matt Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation. “The construction industry is faced with a steep worker shortage of more than half of a million in 2024, and promising technologies like AI can help address this challenge. As younger workers become industry leaders, we must approach AI in construction as beneficial with a balanced view that includes continuous evaluation, developing ethical guidelines and increasing awareness about what AI can and cannot do.”

“The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate ourselves on the basics, and this resource is a starting point to understand AI and its potential impact on the construction industry,” said ABC director of construction technology and Innovation Patrick Scarpati, who authored the guide. “The industry has immense opportunities to evaluate how we can better deliver projects, and we can lean on AI in achieving essential goals like upskilling, workforce development, knowledge transfer, supply chain optimization, enhanced safety design and planning and much more.”

The guide reveals uses of AI during the construction project lifecycle, including preconstruction, construction and building maintenance. It also offers definitions of terms, such as deep learning and predictive AI, as well as best practices in drafting office AI policies.