Global AI And Data Analytics In Construction And Property Roundup #6

Global AI And Data Analytics In Construction And Property Roundup #6

Hello there subscribers,

I can't believe just how much AI news is out there at the moment, its getting harder and harder to keep up, but as long as people are getting value from me sifting through the information, I will continue to do so.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with others so that more people can benefit from staying up-to-date on the latest AI developments in construction and real estate.

In this latest edition, you'll find a diverse range of AI-related news spanning , construction, ethics, cloud computing, headsets, regulation, and more. We dive into Anthropic's big funding from Amazon, projections for the AI construction market, human-centric digital construction, AI energy consumption, Bentley's VR software, and much more.

I aim to continue providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage of notable AI advances, debates, and implications across the industry. Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving the newsletter or covering new topics. I appreciate you taking the time to read my latest summary.


Please feel free to share with colleagues, friends, or anyone else who may find it valuable.

Looking forward to keeping you informed as the AI landscape continues to evolve!

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"Nodes & Links partners with Elecosoft to bring enhanced AI capabilities to Asta Powerproject"

Project planning tool creator Elecosoft has partnered with AI planning co-pilot platform Nodes & Links to offer enhanced AI capabilities to customers working with Elecosoft's Asta Powerproject software. The partnership aims to improve reliability and programme forecasting, enhance risk management, and reduce project delays and cost overruns. Asta Powerproject is widely used in the construction industry and trusted by 90 of the top 100 main contractors in the UK. Through the partnership, Asta Powerproject files can undergo automatic analysis, forecasting, and simulation using the Nodes & Links AI Platform, reducing the potential for human errors and delays. The partnership aims to utilise generative AI in the future to help project delivery teams focus on high-value tasks and improve overall project outcomes.


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Delving Into the Inner Workings of an AI Ethics Toolkit: A Fascinating Examination

AI Ethics Toolkits have become increasingly prevalent, but their effectiveness and underlying strategies remain largely unknown. To address this, Malak Sadek conducted a design workshop using an AI ethics toolkit to understand its workings and impact. The toolkit consisted of a deck of cards representing different values and prompts for generating ideas related to AI design. Participants found the value-based approach useful for considering non-technical aspects and prioritizing user needs. They also appreciated the gamification aspect, which increased engagement and helped them understand the connections between ideas and values. However, participants expressed the need for more contextual information to better empathize with the target users and generate more customized solutions. The workshop highlighted the power of using gamification and value-based exercises to make AI design more human-centered and inclusive. These insights can guide the implementation of AI ethics toolkits in future design workshops.


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"Unlocking Sustainability: How Digital Twins are Revolutionising Construction's Environmental Impact"

The construction industry is responsible for a significant amount of global CO2 emissions, making it crucial for the industry to find ways to minimize its environmental impact. One solution that is gaining traction is the use of digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical buildings or infrastructure that can be used to model and predict their impact and performance. By using digital twins, construction companies can reduce their environmental impact by avoiding rework, comparing as-built to as-designed plans, capturing progress, and easily sharing data with stakeholders. Digital twins are created by combining data from various sources such as high-definition drone images, environmental 3D models, sensors, and other digital tools. They can be used to simulate and monitor a building's performance under different scenarios, helping architects and construction companies assess the most sustainable materials, structures, and designs for the area. Digital twins can also identify potential design errors and problems early in the design process, minimize environmental impact by optimizing building placement and shape, and reduce energy consumption and waste.


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"Revolutionizing Construction: Artificial Intelligence Takes Center Stage in St. Pete Condo Building"

Construction on a massive condominium building in St. Petersburg, Florida, is being revolutionised by the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Suffolk Construction is utilising AI and 3D modeling to streamline the construction process at 400 Central Avenue. By creating a 3D model of the building from 2D plans, Suffolk can identify any errors or problems before construction begins. This allows them to make adjustments and fixes in the software, saving time and resources that would have been spent on rectifying mistakes in the field. The use of AI also aids in keeping worker morale high, as they can avoid the frustration of having to redo work due to errors. Suffolk is also employing AI to detect water leaks on the construction site in real time, further enhancing efficiency and safety. With the help of AI, construction on the building is set to be completed by 2025.


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"James Garner featured in APM' Project magazine - revolutionizing project delivery with AI"

In a post on LinkedIn, Dave Corbin FAPM shares this article from APM's Project magazine. The article discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on project delivery and emphasises the importance of not simply digitising existing processes, but rather reinventing them completely. This fresh perspective is seen as a way to shape the future of project management. Other professionals in the project management field also comment on the post, expressing their interest and support for the ideas presented in the article.


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"Government Project Data Academy: Fueling Innovation and Collaboration in Project Management"

The Government Project Data Academy has officially launched, marking the start of a program focused on the power of project data. The program aims to develop project data leaders and offer them on-the-job experience, project-focused training, and the opportunity to get involved in the Project Data Analytics Community. It will also introduce participants to Python Coding, Microsoft Azure, machine learning, and AI. The pilot program, set to run for two years, will see a total of 30 project data leaders from various government departments progress through the program. The first 17 leaders have already joined the program, and recruitment for the next 13 leaders will begin later in the year. The pilot is expected to inform the future direction of project data and the wider profession, as well as drive innovation across government and the public sector.


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"Unveiling the Future: Meta Connect 2023 Reveals 8 Game-Changing Initiatives in AI"

Tech giant Meta (formerly known as Facebook) unveiled new generative artificial intelligence (AI) features during its Connect conference in Menlo Park, California. The company introduced several initiatives in the AI realm, including AI stickers, a feature that allows users to craft personalised stickers effortlessly. Meta also announced Restyle and Backdrop, two novel features that will transform image editing capabilities on Instagram. Additionally, Meta AI, a virtual assistant that interacts with users in a human-like manner, will be available on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3 headsets. In addition to Meta AI, users can engage with 28 other AI entities on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. Meta has also launched AI Studio, a platform that enables the creation of AI entities, which will soon be accessible to developers outside of Meta. The company is also working on a sandbox that will allow users to experiment with creating their own AI.


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"Revolutionizing Conversations: ChatGPT Can Now See, Hear, and Speak to Enhance User Experience!"

OpenAI is introducing new voice and image capabilities to its ChatGPT platform, allowing users to have voice conversations and show ChatGPT images for a more intuitive experience. The voice feature enables users to engage in back-and-forth conversations with their assistant, while the image feature allows them to show ChatGPT pictures for troubleshooting, planning meals, and analyzing data. The voice capability is supported by a text-to-speech model that generates human-like audio, and the voices were created in collaboration with professional voice actors. Image understanding is powered by advanced language reasoning models. OpenAI is gradually rolling out these features to Plus and Enterprise users over the next two weeks, with plans to expand access to other users, including developers, in the near future. The company is taking measures to ensure the safety and responsible usage of the new capabilities, including limitations on analyzing and making direct statements about individuals in images.


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"IBM Takes a Bold Step to Ease Customers' Worries about Generative A.I. - The New York Times"

IBM has launched a campaign to ease customers' concerns about using generative AI, a technology that can produce human-like business reports and computer code. Many companies are hesitant to use generative AI due to concerns about data confidentiality, accuracy of AI-generated answers, and potential legal liability. In an effort to address these concerns, IBM has announced that it will indemnify businesses against copyright or intellectual property claims related to the use of its generative AI systems. Additionally, IBM will publish its data sets, which is not a common practice among commercial providers of generative AI technology. The company aims to position itself as a partner for businesses that want to create their own AI technology, allowing companies to add their own business data to IBM's open models. IBM's focus is on helping businesses become creators, as well as customers, of generative AI technology.


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"Introducing Microsoft Copilot: Your Ultimate AI Companion for Everyday Tasks!"

Microsoft has announced the launch of Microsoft Copilot, an everyday AI companion that will be integrated into Windows 11, Microsoft 365, Edge, and Bing. Copilot will provide assistance by incorporating the context and intelligence of the web, work data, and the user's PC activities. It will be available as an app or can be accessed with a right-click. The AI companion aims to make tasks more efficient and simplify complex processes. Microsoft Copilot will initially roll out as part of the Windows 11 update starting September 26, with additional capabilities and connections being added over time. The update also includes over 150 new features, such as improvements to Paint, Photos, Snipping Tool, and Outlook. Bing and Edge will also introduce new features, including personalized answers, Copilot in Microsoft Shopping, and integration with the DALL.E 3 model from OpenAI. Microsoft 365 Copilot will be generally available for enterprise customers on November 1, along with Microsoft 365 Chat, a new AI assistant. The announcement was accompanied by the introduction of new Surface devices available for pre-order.


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"ChatGPT Gets an Upgrade: Now Chat with Images and Voice for More Interactive Conversations!"

OpenAI has introduced new features to its ChatGPT chatbot, allowing users to communicate through visual and audio content. Subscribers to the ChatGPT Plus plan can now share images and have conversations with the chatbot. Users can send pictures to ChatGPT and ask questions about specific elements in the image, allowing the AI to provide relevant information and assistance. For example, users can share a picture of their bike and ask for help in adjusting the seat. ChatGPT will analyze the image and provide instructions accordingly. Additionally, users can engage in voice conversations with ChatGPT, interrupting and redirecting the conversation as needed. However, OpenAI advises users not to rely on these features for high-risk or serious situations. The new features are available to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise subscribers and will be rolled out over the next two weeks.


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"Bridge AI: Revolutionising UK Construction with a £32m Fund for Artificial Intelligence Innovation"

Innovate UK has launched "Bridge AI," a £32m fund aimed at supporting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK construction industry. The program offers funding and support to help businesses in the construction sector embrace the potential of AI. Companies can access up to £1.2m in funding to install trusted AI solutions, connect with experts in the field, and enhance their AI leadership skills. The fund is open to businesses, academic institutions, charities, and public sector bodies. Applicants have until November 8 to submit their applications, and an online briefing session will be held on September 29 to provide more information on the eligibility criteria and application process. Projects that receive funding are expected to run from April 2024 to March 2025 and should focus on UK result exploitation.


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"AI Regulation Concerns: ChatGPT Creator Sam Altman Urges Balanced Approach for Industry's Most Powerful Systems"

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed concern about the lack of regulation surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at an AI event in Taipei, Altman acknowledged that there is often a reflexive anti-regulation sentiment in the tech industry. However, he believes that the most powerful AI systems, with capabilities far beyond what currently exists, should be subject to regulation. Altman emphasized that regulation has its benefits, such as ensuring safety in industries like aviation. While he is not overly worried about excessive government regulation, he believes that some form of regulation is necessary. Altman's concerns come at a time when many countries, including the UK, are considering the regulation of AI. It is important to strike a balance between allowing innovation and ensuring ethical and responsible AI development.


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"AI: The Powerful Assistant That Will Revolutionise Engineering Jobs"

In the engineering community, there is a polarised debate about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Some fear that AI will replace traditional engineering roles, while others see it as a revolution that will eliminate menial tasks. However, instead of focusing on these extremes, engineering companies should view AI as a valuable assistant that can improve their work. AI tools, when used wisely, can streamline processes, increase efficiency, and eliminate repetitive tasks. However, there are challenges to the adoption of AI in engineering, such as regulatory oversight, political and legal uncertainty, and a learning curve for engineers. Despite these challenges, there are several ways in which engineers can leverage AI, including using AI-powered language models, speeding up robotic process automation, solving simple problems, and developing an in-house AI platform. While AI won't replace human engineers anytime soon, it has the potential to make their jobs easier and more efficient.


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"Apple CEO Tim Cook Declares Vision Pro Headset an 'Aha Moment' for Spatial Computing"

In an interview with The Independent, Apple CEO Tim Cook discussed the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset and its potential for spatial computing. Cook emphasized that trying out the Vision Pro is an "aha" moment, saying that there are "huge differences" between reading about the technology and actually experiencing it firsthand. While analysts have expressed skepticism about the headset's sales potential and cost, Cook remains positive about its impact and is confident in its future. Cook also discussed Apple's commitment to gaming, with the iPhone 15 Pro models featuring an A17 Pro chip for console-quality gaming. He emphasized that gaming is "not a hobby" for the company and that Apple is putting its full effort into the gaming space. Overall, Cook's comments indicate his excitement and belief in the transformative nature of the Vision Pro headset and its potential to reshape the way we interact with technology.


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"Unleashing Generative AI: My First Experience Building Apps on Amazon Web Services"

The author, an engineer and data scientist, shares their experience participating in a 48-hour hackathon focused on generative AI apps on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Hackathons are a great way for companies to explore new technologies and brainstorm potential use cases with their knowledge workers. The author highlights the benefits of participating in hackathons, including the opportunity to upskill in innovation and startup skills and gain hands-on experience with different cloud vendors like AWS and Microsoft. The article then delves into the AWS generative AI stack, discussing the availability of large datasets and computing power on the public cloud. The major cloud providers, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, are continuously improving their offerings in this space. Overall, the author's experience with AWS's generative AI tools was positive, and they recommend other analysts, engineers, and data scientists explore these tools as well.


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"Unlocking the Potential: How a Human-Centric Approach is Key to Digital Construction Success"

Digital construction has the potential to revolutionize the industry, but its full benefits can only be realized with a human-centric approach, says Nathan Marsh, chief digital officer at Turner & Townsend. While many in the industry focus on the technological aspects of digital transformation, such as new software and tools, they often overlook the impact on people and the need for a holistic approach. Marsh emphasizes the importance of integrating the human aspects of digitalization, such as training and clear communication, with the technical elements. Taking this approach ensures that individuals understand the project's goals and the systems they will be using, and fosters a culture in which digital tools are embraced. Marsh also highlights the role of digital tools in bridging the gap between on-site and off-site construction, providing real-time data and improving coordination between team members. Ultimately, successful digital construction requires investment in people, technology, and programs, all working in harmony.


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Unveiling the Ultimate Showdown: Conversational AI vs. Generative AI - Your Complete Guide

In this article, the author provides a comprehensive guide comparing the two prominent technologies in the AI industry: Conversational AI and Generative AI. Conversational AI focuses on human-like conversations and is commonly used in chatbots and virtual assistants, while Generative AI focuses on content creation, including art, music, and texts. The article explains the technologies involved in each AI type, such as NLP for conversational AI and deep learning techniques for generative AI. It also highlights the training data requirements, user experience, and ethical concerns associated with each technology. Looking into the future, the article predicts more natural and context-aware interactions for conversational AI and increased content generation capabilities for generative AI. The article concludes that both technologies have their own advantages and can be deployed depending on the specific output required.


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"Artificial Intelligence (AI) Construction Market Projected to Reach Nearly $4.3 Billion by 2029"

The artificial intelligence (AI) construction market is expected to reach nearly USD 4,269.3 million by 2029, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.8% during the forecast period. The report provides an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the market and helps decision-makers prepare short-term and long-term strategies. The increasing need for safety measures at construction sites, the capability of AI to reduce production costs, growing data capture through cloud-based applications and mobile devices, and addressing labor shortages are some of the key drivers in the market. North America is the leading region in the adoption of AI in construction, particularly in the United States, which has a significant presence of AI construction technology providers and a robust market for such solutions. The market is segmented by technology, stage, deployment type, and component. Key players in the market include IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP.


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"Amazon Takes on Microsoft with Billions in Anthropic Investment - The AI Race Heats Up!"

Amazon has announced that it will invest up to $4 billion in Anthropic, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) company. This move comes as part of the ongoing race among tech giants to harness the potential of AI. Amazon has also recently stated that it plans to use AI to enhance its voice assistant, Alexa. Anthropic, which specializes in AI safety and research, will be able to draw on Amazon's vast computing power, as Amazon is one of the major providers of cloud computing services. Meanwhile, Microsoft, which has a similar arrangement with OpenAI, has made several AI-powered upgrades to its existing products through its partnership with ChatGPT maker. The deal with Anthropic is also seen as a challenge to Nvidia’s current dominance in the AI chip market.


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"Harnessing Metadata: Unleashing the Power of BIM, Document Management, and Digital Twins"

In this article, the author discusses the importance of harnessing metadata in the built environment to support BIM, document management, and digital twins. Metadata is often overlooked but is a crucial aspect of data management and information exchange. It is the data about data. For example, email headers contain metadata such as sender, receiver, and timestamp. Similarly, technical documents in construction have metadata in their title blocks and headers. The author emphasizes the importance of utilizing consistent metadata in documents to improve their discovery, use, and management. They highlight standards such as ISO 7200 and EN 82045-2 that provide guidelines for creating and managing metadata. By harnessing the power of metadata, organizations can make documents easier to find, move, and exchange, and improve information exchange between different organizations.


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"AI Revolution Sparks Energy Consumption Surge, Threatening Global Power Grid"

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to lead to a dramatic increase in energy consumption, according to experts. The energy demands of AI technologies, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, are significantly higher than traditional computing systems. ChatGPT used approximately 1 gigawatt-hour of energy per day, equivalent to the consumption of 33,000 US households. Data centers, where AI processing takes place, are particularly energy-intensive and their reliance on graphics processing units (GPUs) increases their power consumption. Energy usage by data centers has grown at an average rate of 25% per year since 2015, and this is expected to increase further as AI adoption continues to grow. To address these challenges, cloud providers are investing in renewable energy sources, and companies are developing more energy-efficient AI models and technologies.


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"Exciting Presentation on Data Engineering and Construction Cost Predictions at Statistical Society Conference 2023!"

Rithwik Shetty recently presented at the Royal Statistical Society International Conference 2023, where he discussed the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Gleeds and the University of Nottingham. His presentation focused on the data engineering aspect, highlighting how statistical and computational techniques have been used to provide reliable and structured construction project cost predictions. Shetty was also impressed with the diverse applications of statistics and data science in both business and research. He expressed his gratitude to the team at Gleeds and the University of Nottingham for the opportunity to present at the conference. This presentation demonstrates the practical applications of data science in the construction industry and highlights the importance of statistical analysis in making informed decisions.


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"Why Every Construction Product Manufacturer Must Embrace Digital Transformation for Building Safety"

In an article on Planning, Building & Construction Today, Rick Hartwig, the built environment lead at the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), emphasizes the importance of digitization for construction product manufacturers. Hartwig argues that digitization is necessary for ensuring building safety and meeting regulatory requirements. However, he highlights a lack of awareness and prioritization of digitization among manufacturers. According to a survey conducted by IET, many manufacturers still provide product information to customers in PDF or hard copy brochures, rather than through structured data. This leads to outdated and inaccurate information being available to customers. Additionally, Hartwig notes that manufacturers perceive digitization as a low priority due to concerns about cost increases, materials supply, and profit margins. To address this issue, Hartwig recommends that manufacturers start taking steps towards digitization in order to improve efficiency and contribute to a safer built environment.


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"Embark on a Virtual Reality Adventure with Bentley's iTwin Software: Unleashing the Power of VR"

Bentley's iTwin infrastructure software is harnessing the power of virtual reality (VR) to create immersive and interactive experiences for architects, builders, and owners. The software allows users to view infrastructure models from every angle, teleport to different positions, and even scale themselves to gain a better perspective. The VR experience, guided by Greg Demchak, senior director at the Digital Innovation Lab, provides a realistic sense of scale that is not possible by simply viewing models on a monitor. Additionally, iTwin's drone capability allows users to practice with a drone before using it for remote inspections, reducing the risk of errors or accidents on-site. The software also offers real-time updates and eliminates the need for manual surveys, providing significant time and cost savings on projects. Overall, Bentley's iTwin software is revolutionizing the way infrastructure projects are planned, designed, and executed.

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