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COMMENT
Industry insight
ANDREW SKUDDER RIB CCS
The future of AI and mixed reality in construction in 2022
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ith ever-evolving technologies, the future is looking bright, and the future of construction is no exception. What we have seen over recent years is a surge in technological advancement - from things as simple as digitisation of records to more complex things like Building Information Modelling. With these advancements comes the opportunity for optimisation of productivity and profitability. So, let’s take a closer look at two of the technologies with the most potential for this optimisation: mixed reality and artificial intelligence (AI). We’ll cover what they are, how they’re used, and the benefits they pose for the construction sector in 2022. Mixed reality refers to the merging of real and virtual worlds. Virtual reality and augmented reality are, in essence, “mixed” to create the mixed reality. For example, using glasses or a screen, you can see the real world with digital elements or information. It takes augmented reality one step further by allowing the user control over the real and virtual elements in an environment and allowing them to interact. So, you don’t just see the digital elements and real ones at the same time. You can merge the two. This creates the mixed reality wherein the world you are seeing
January 2022 | MEConstructionNews.com
is neither real nor digital; it is both. Mixed reality can, of course, be used in a construction setting. Think of the vision you have for your construction site. Previously, 3D models and physical plans could help you to envision what things would look like. Now, with mixed reality, you can see and experience it, and even adjust it in real time. Using special glasses, people can make changes to their construction plans, and experience a world where their vision comes to life. What’s great about using a mixed reality view on your construction site is that you can pick up on problems you wouldn’t be able to see through the use of normal 2D blueprints and planning. Your proposed elements are all digitised, and you can see how they would coexist with reality. The future of mixed reality in a construction setting, then, is a bright one. We’ve all heard of artificial intelligence, and we know that it is being integrated into almost every sector in the world these days. AI, in a nutshell, is the use of a machine to do certain tasks that would previously have needed a human’s input. AI is performed through the use of a ‘smart machine’. For a general example, think of simple record logging. Instead of manually logging each bit of information, you can use AI to do it for you. AI is a way to make things go faster and to alleviate human workload, and it’s evolving and developing every single day. There are multiple benefits to using artificial intelligence. It can improve crucial things like safety and allow your teams the time to focus on the things that AI can’t do. It helps managers and workers alike by supporting them and making their jobs easier. The future of AI is exciting, as we are constantly seeing new developments and improvements. In 2022, expect to see it emerging even further. It’s clear that 2022 and years to follow will see a big surge in technologies like AI and mixed realities. Because the construction sector is so big (and so important), you can expect to see these developments embraced. After all, technology plays a big role in our world today and there are multiple ways it can benefit this specific industry. Andrew Skudder is the chief executive officer of RIB CCS.
DONAVAN ELLIS SERCO
Asset management supports KSA privatisation efforts
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riven by Vision 2030, a wide range of government entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are looking to privatise their organisations with the ultimate goal of diversifying revenue sources away from a reliance on oil. In a move that will further stabilise the Kingdom for future generations, privatisation will enable the country to continue to grow exponentially through income generation from new sources. Privatisation is no small task; it demands a broad range of activities to be completed in order to ensure that operations of these entities are profitable, making them attractive to foreign investors and driving growth. Like any transaction, the entity looking to privatise and find foreign investment must in the first instance be an attractive proposition, enabling potential investors to conduct their due diligence and be confident that their capital is well placed. A key aspect of this resides within asset management, and the following outlines the various steps that need to be considered. Each government entity that seeks to privatise must have a clear and definitive view of the assets under its ownership, their condition, cost to maintain and prospective lifecycle. Having a clear link between the performance of your assets and bottom line
