2025 Construction Outlook: Digital Twins, Automation, Interoperability
Date Posted: January 30, 2025
Posted In: Discussion,
From Construction Briefing: As we enter 2025, construction’s digital transformation is hitting its stride — with more demand for AI-powered data extraction, digital twins and automation, Matthew Desmond, vice president of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) software, and President of AGTEK at Hexagon.
Meanwhile, there’s a growing recognition in the industry that adopting technologies isn’t about flashy appearances — being technologically current is essential for staying competitive.
So, what does this mean for construction in the year ahead?
The AI hype is over
People want to see tangible artificial intelligence (AI) applications that deliver real value. The areas where AI is driving significant value are in analysing data, extracting relevant info, and then sharing those insights in an easy-to-understand format – much faster than a human could.
AI can compare CAD designs from large infrastructure projects with point cloud data taken from a drone or flying laser scanner to monitor construction progress. This helps to accurately track against project milestones, identifies deviations from the design, and ensures early detection of potential issues to keep the project on schedule and within budget.
AI will be able to analyse PDF and CAD project documents to extract essential details like materials, measurements, and cost breakdowns in seconds. This way contractors can quickly generate accurate and competitive bids.
We will no doubt see further advancements in these areas over the year with AI growing fastest where there is an instant impact and return on investment.