About twenty years ago, I started learning BIM when it was still new to most contractors. Back then, it took some convincing to get teams to trust a digital model instead of only paper plans.
Now we’re facing another shift. Artificial intelligence is starting to change how we plan, coordinate, and manage our work in the field.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to help teams adopt tools like laser scanning, drones, 360 photos, and now AI. These tools all share the same goal. They help people work better, spot issues sooner, and spend less time on repetitive tasks.
AI is already helping with submittals, RFIs, and keeping schedules on track before problems grow. It’s not perfect, but it’s improving quickly. The more we test it, the more we learn where it fits best.
When I talk with students at Auburn or share ideas at events like Groundbreak and Dimensions, I remind everyone I’m still learning too.
Builders don’t want hype. They want real examples of what works and what doesn’t. That’s why I’m testing AI on real projects and figuring out what actually helps our field teams spend more time where they add the most value. Out solving problems instead of sitting behind a screen.
What excites me most is how AI can help us make better use of the information we already have. Every project generates thousands of photos, scans, daily logs, and drawing elements. It’s more than any one person can track alone.
AI can help sort through that information and highlight what matters. It might catch a missed detail in the design or call attention to a coordination issue that could slow down work. That extra layer of insight can make a real difference when it works alongside the tools we trust today.
There is no magic button. AI only works when people know how to use it and when they take the time to check its results.
It’s just another tool. It should support field knowledge and strong project teams, not replace them. That’s why we test it in specific ways and then share what we learn so others don’t have to start from scratch.
If you’re curious about AI, keep it simple. Pick one pain point that slows you down or takes too much time.
Try one tool on one real project. Talk with your team about what works and what doesn’t. Adjust as you go. Don’t wait for perfect because this tech will never stand still.
The sooner you see where it fits into your process, the more prepared you’ll be for what comes next.
I enjoy learning alongside others who want to push the industry forward. If you want to see how we’re putting AI to work or just want to compare notes, I’m always glad to connect.
There’s still a lot to figure out. But I believe we’ll get there faster when we work through it together.
