AI’s potential is limitless, construction must embrace it, cautiously but enthusiastically

The media has voiced anti-AI concerns in recent months, but this is a technology which needs to be harnessed if any industry, especially construction, is to reach its full potential. That is why Trackunit has put a clear AI policy in place.

AI has been given enormous bandwidth by the press recently, but if AI is important to the technological development of construction as an industry, we need to be confident of its evolving capabilities and use it ethically.

We have all seen the media headlines that have become increasingly alarmist about AI. On 9 May, Reuters ramped up the doom laden language saying, 'AI pioneer says its threat to world may be “more urgent” than climate change’. Many technology voices and academics have joined the clammer, including, On 12 July, Bloomberg issued the warning, AI Is Making Politics Easier, Cheaper and More Dangerous. This is stark language and the concerns expressed in the articles are valid.

However, there is another side that is represented by the advantages of OpenAI and the AI technology utilised in ChatGPT, its viral chatbot tool. While early incarnations of ChatGPT's were impressive, the latest version, unveiled in March 2023, is simply astounding. Instead of just replicating conversation, ChatGPT can actually converse and take exams intuitively. In one case, it even scored in the top 10% for a simulated law school bar exam.

AI’s potential is limitless and will make exponential leaps forward with each generation - in part driven by competition from the likes of Google and Microsoft. This potentiality does mean there are near infinite ways AI can be exploited. To ensure that we never exploit nor are exploited by AI or its developers, Trackunit has introduced a few general principles to guide our AI policy.

Green light for ChatGPT

Firstly, Trackunit has given temporary approval for the use of AI generative models such as, ChatGPT for text generation, image generation and the combined process of code review and code generation.

This may not seem like a big deal, however, there are other companies who have prohibited, or at least limited, its use in the workplace including Apple, Samsung, JP Morgan Chase, Accenture and Amazon.

We believe the utilization of AI will improve efficiency and quality across the business. If we can improve our efficiency, we will have more time to focus upon how to innovate for our customers.

We’re at the leading edge of technology and it’s our responsibility to embrace innovation, especially one that will change the game decisively for our users. Whatever the technology is doing now, its future innovations will lead us to greater achievements. We are at an exciting inflection point where a premium has been placed on change management that will be ever more evident as the pace of change gathers speed.

The importance of experimentation

Utilising a mix of AI with human involvement, we have approved its use for research and experimentation. Without diminishing the principle of control, we must determine how we can adapt AI to make construction more sustainable and safer whilst developing the industry-wide push to eliminate downtime.

The human factor

All things benefit from checks and balances. You’ll have noted I said temporary previously and that is because, while we’re embracing AI, we’re also taking it step by step. Utilising AI requires constant evaluation to ensure it is both a correct and ethical decision.

The crux of the matter is how you train AI, the questions asked and the way the questions are framed. Therefore, for Trackunit, this demands an expert human element as the counterbalance in all our ChatGPT interactions. There is a real person, one who is 100% responsible for generated text, content, images and all code. We have not connected our infrastructure to any external AI engine and for now, there will always be a human as the bridge to the final results.

This deliberate disconnection between the two systems is highly important and extremely pragmatic. If we don't know where data is going, we potentially lose control as to how that data is being used. We will not compromise on that.

We will not allow an AI unfettered access to our and users’ data and this is non-negotiable. An external AI will have been created by a separate company and may therefore have different values and ethics coded into it that are antithetical to Trackunit. We believe that a human bridge between our data and any external AI engine is how to keep control of the process and ensure that we cannot be exploited by any external parties.

The automation of processes we previously thought unimaginable will make available resources and allow us to work in more efficient and creative ways. The automation of more repetitive tasks will enable us to be free to think more creatively and will be a positive for our industry. We must use AI as a tool to allow the human element more time to do what humans do best: create and innovate.

We see a very real potential for positive disruption, particularly with core product offerings. The augmentation of AI will see transformative products on the market across all industries. Whilst the regulatory board catches up with the pace of ingenuity and innovation, we are ready to take an ethical stance.

Secondary verification

We have also set in place a secondary verification process, not unlike two-factor authentication. We have established peer review to ensure we are not transgressing the ethical principles that underpin our AI policy going forward.

We are responsible for sensitive data and have therefore specifically prohibited ChatGPT to engage in any fact-finding without secondary verification. This is very much aligned with the human factor principle as we prohibit putting any sensitive personal or customer data into ChatGPT without that approval. That is subject to review, refinement and improvement on an ongoing basis as we progress carefully with this new technology.

To win in construction technology we must explore AI's possibilities in a safe and ethical manner. AI has the capability to revolutionise construction. It can free our time to think more creatively and to bring that to bear on massive datasets that AI can process almost instantly. With the right intent and purpose, this will have a profound impact on site and to your business. The future of AI has already begun. It will be our human involvement that allows it to flourish.

ends

About Trackunit:

Trackunit is a technology company that orchestrates the data and infrastructure that connects construction.

The construction industry uses Trackunit’s software and hardware to connect to the ecosystem of construction from one platform connecting people, assets, and processes. Trackunit collects and analyzes machine data in real-time to deliver actionable, proactive, and predictive information, empowering customers with data-driven foresight.

Trackunit delivers an integrated operating platform with applications and services enabling construction professionals to increase business efficiency by optimizing machine utilization, operator safety, digitizing workflows, and ultimately eliminating downtime.

Trackunit promises to lead the technology engagement to help eliminate downtime. The mission is not only to recover from budget and schedule overruns but also to re-establish the reputation of the industry for innovation and leadership. Trackunit services its customers worldwide from its offices in Denmark, Canada, Chicago, IL and Singapore, Sweden, Norway, France, the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Australia, and Japan.