The development and deployment of construction technology are arguably progressing at a faster rate than at any point in history. New advancements in 3-D modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning enable more effective documentation and tracking of construction sites. The data can be easily shared among all stakeholders to keep everyone informed about the status, facilitate easy adaptation to new situations, and enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The potential uses for technology to make jobsites more efficient and safer are limitless.

“There’s this mindset that a tradesperson works with their hands, so they’re not super skilled,” says Scott Colclough, founding partner of Pushysix Media Group. “A doctor is using X-ray machines and all this other tech to make their job even better and more sophisticated—so are we. We’re using extremely complex technology in construction; we’re using very advanced tools. We shouldn’t be looked at as people just using a hammer anymore.”

The message for small contractors and growing enterprises alike is clear: Embracing technology is no longer optional; it’s essential for long-term success.

Colclough and Troy Dahlin, vice president of heavy construction, US/Canada, Leica Geosystems,  provide insight into the use of technology and its impact on shaping the jobsite, making it safer.

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY GENERALLY CHANGING THE JOBSITE?

Dahlin: “What it does more than anything is give contractors peace of mind. Even something as simple as precision sensors ensures that data is captured accurately and securely maintained, even on complex jobsites. Keeping the data in the cloud allows teams to share real-time data and create a single source of truth. The next great gamechanger is AI. It will accelerate automation and embed insights into workflows. We talk about data allowing real-time decisions; AI takes it to the next level.”

Colclough: “What I’m seeing is the same thing that I saw when machine control came out. They’re all scared: ‘Oh, it’s going to take our jobs away.’ No, it’s making your job easier and faster. AI is doing the same thing. If you don’t adopt AI like you did machine control, you’re going to be left in the dust. It’s helping with workflows and with efficiency. With my business, although I’m not in hands-on construction day-to-day anymore, we try to use it for as much as we can. It’s smarter than us, as long as you know how to prompt it. AI integrated with everything on the jobsite, that’s what’s coming next.”

HOW IS A.I. CHANGING THE JOBSITE?

Dahlin: “I think the contractors having the most success are the ones using AI to identify patterns and make practical changes, such as finding and eliminating safety violations. More than anything, it makes data usable and gives contractors a better understanding of a site’s day-to-day operations. They can understand what’s working, track equipment, minimize liability challenges, and understand how the weather impacts the jobsite. It can put an end to scope creep and mitigate delays. Ultimately, it helps to act on your priorities quickly and identify ways to improve productivity and keep your projects on track every step of the way.”

Colclough: “I use AI to understand my power bill. I upload a picture, and it gives me a full breakdown. You could use that same concept for a job site with all the points. Give me a summary of this and what it means. What could I change? Is there anything wrong with elevations to have all the dirt level at the end of the day? We should be doing that already.”

HOW IS DATA COLLECTION IMPROVED BY TECHNOLOGY AND A.I.?

Dahlin: “You can’t talk about AI without data. AI is at its most powerful when you use it in combination with the data you are collecting. A tool such as a laser scanner can help simplify and speed up data collection. Speed has a massive impact on a contractor’s cost. We talk about the benefits of tracking progress based on point clouds. While there’s a benefit to that, data is most powerful when it informs action. This is where AI can make the biggest impact. AI algorithms make it easy to visualize the jobsite and deliver better and more accurate layouts faster. Where we’re increasingly headed is using this data for training. With the click of a button, you can create tailored training materials based on your team’s actions and fix small mistakes before they become large headaches.”

Colclough: “What I would like to see is some type of AI integrated into it where it knows where the other machines are, so it avoids any collisions—and, even better, people, if it’s able to track people. There are cameras that detect people, but that’s on the machine, usually; that’s not in the control box. I think the next step would be to integrate both of those things together so it detects people and other machines, and you can see it all on the interface.”

WHY SHOULD TRAINING BE A BEST PRACTICE FOR CONTRACTORS?

Colclough: “It’s quite sad that companies will spend a million dollars on a machine and won’t spend $2,000 to train the operator. I think there’s a breakdown somewhere in leadership. I don’t know where it is within the company. But let’s say a foreman won’t tell the superintendent that the guys aren’t using it to their full potential. The work is getting done, and it seems more efficient. So, they’re like, ‘Oh, okay, it’s working. It’s good. We’ll just keep going.’ It could be so much better, and this is what they don’t realize.”

Colclough: “I think contractors are learning that they not only have to invest in the tech but train their people. Even more importantly, they need to manage the data properly. If you don’t know how to do it, hire someone to do it because your entire investment is going to be worthless if you can’t manage your data properly. A lot of this data is being used to prove how much dirt you move. It’s a direct impact on how much you’re getting paid.”

Dahlin: “It’s fair to say that technology is easier to use than ever before. We’ve seen companies invest in new technology and use it in the real world quickly. As we see the onset of increased AI use, for example, teams need to know how what they’re doing on the jobsite plays into the bigger picture. We can talk all day about how the latest technology can help a contractor meet their goals, but that complete buy-in requires showing the person using the scanner how their job is critical to the project’s overall success and how they benefit from that.”

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Leica Geosystems creates complete solutions for professionals around the world. For more, visit www.leica-geosystems.com.