Underground Infrastructure - October 2023 - 18

UTILITY&COMMUNICATIONS
Construction Update
AI Impacts to be Considered for Underground Projects
Daniel Shumate | Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors Inc.
With technology on full display at the
Underground Infrastructure Conference,
coupled with the ongoing labor challenges
throughout the industry, artificial intelligence
(AI) has been on the minds of
contractors and investors alike.
Original fears of robotics and AI
were all characterized as a threat to repetitive
blue-collar work. In practice,
the dynamic environment that utility
infrastructure is placed in has proved
quite challenging for automation and
AI interaction. However, artificial intelligence
platforms may have a lasting
impact on the back-office, estimating
and documentation that are a necessity
to win work and ensure timely payment.
The potential starts with the plans
for a project. Software applying machine
learning, a form of artificial intelligence,
can rapidly analyze blueprints
and automatically quantify the areas,
environment,
objects and materials
for a project. This process has the potential
to save construction companies
hours of time and helps them submit
more accurate bids.
While estimating software has been
FIGURE 1: 3-Year UCC Index. Source: FMI Research, S&P Capital IQ; as of September 15, 2023
FIGURE 2: 1-Year UCC Index. Source: FMI Research, S&P Capital IQ; as of September 15, 2023
18 OCTOBER 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
around for decades, utilizing AI platforms
such as ChatGPT, Google's Bard
or a specific construction product like
Togal.AI to improve one's processes
could have material impact on takeoffs.
Another segment ripe for improvements
for the underground contractor
is effective documentation of a job,
with complete review of the hundreds
of units that may be applicable to a segment
of work. By first introducing the
requirements to bill the customer, then
inputting the work package, pictures
and documentation of changes to the
original plan, AI platforms can quickly
produce the documentation necessary
to comply with customer requirements.
After a quick review and corrections,

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Underground Infrastructure - October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Infrastructure - October 2023

Underground Infrastructure - October 2023 - 1
Underground Infrastructure - October 2023 - 2
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