How AI is Transforming Workflows in Built Environments

Traditionally, contractors in the built environment relied on detailed 2D drawings – as blueprints for the infrastructure they are building – to provide complex instructions for on-site execution.


Mr Chua Kiong Kiat, Research Associate/Product Owner, NUS

But in recent years, industry leaders and even governments around the world have been advocating the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as part of the sector’s transformation. The integration of this technology is redefining the way we conceive, design, and construct the spaces we inhabit.

“In simple terms, BIM is the digital representation of the built environment, providing you with information of the building at any granular level that you require,” explains Mr Chua Kiong Kiat, Research Associate/Product Owner, NUS. “It's not just about visualisation. Combined with artificial intelligence (AI), BIM can help us to interconnect the data within a 3D model – making it not only a static representation but a dynamic reservoir of information ready for everyday use.”

He adds, “AI algorithms bring cognitive capabilities to BIM, enabling it to analyse vast datasets, recognise patterns, generate insights, and make informed predictions.”

Mr Chua was speaking at the NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2023, where he shared the challenges of applying AI to real-world built environment workflows and discussed the opportunities that the technology can bring.

One focus of Singapore’s Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (BEITM) is Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), highlights Mr Chua. IDD involves the use of digital technologies to integrate work processes and connect stakeholders working on the same project throughout the construction and building life cycle. This includes design, fabrication and assembly on-site, as well as the operations and maintenance of buildings. “From operational efficiencies to enhanced safety for workers, the IDD framework offers a slew of benefits. However, it’s also crucial to acknowledge the hidden costs and unique challenges that come with it.”


Mr Chua speaking at the NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2023 on the topic "AI in Built Environment"

Complexities abound

One key hurdle is the intricate and often siloed nature of data models. Mr Chua explains: “In the built environment sector, we use different digital models to cater to the needs of different parties. For the same project, the information needed by architects would not  be the same as that of structural engineers. This means collaboration among various stakeholders is also required.”

Embracing BIM and AI in the built environment demands significant investments, not just in terms of technology but also in training, infrastructure, and a fundamental shift in mindset. An overhaul of the current workflows and processes is needed as well. In particular, most of the planning and iteration-related workflows will be shifted to the earlier design phase. “Leveraging the digital AI models, we actually can bring down safety risks to a lower level and try to resolve potential issues even prior to construction. This will also help reduce the costs required to fix mistakes and unexpected mishaps along the way,” says Mr Chua.

When it comes to applying cutting-edge AI technology and robotics in the construction landscape, a glaring gap emerges between the promised potential and the practical challenges of deploying these technologies in real-world situations. “For example, there has been publicity around industrial robots that are able to assemble brick walls. But those controlled environments, such as during a trial, are not reflective of the complexities that contractors face on construction sites.”

Nurturing the next generation

The hurdles are manifold when it comes to fully harnessing the potential of AI and BIM in the built environment, but the catalyst lies in the development of a digitally savvy workforce.

Mr Chua adds that past technological development had been more “generic”, with large tech giants creating more day-to-day solutions that have broader applications. “In Singapore, the government’s push for a coding-related mindset in the education curriculum is set to change things. In the near future, we can look forward to a new wave of innovation when these students enter the workforce – equipped with programming knowledge that past generations never had at such a mass scale.”

For current professionals in the built environment sector, it would be useful to continue upskilling themselves and building up technical expertise. “As a subject matter expert, you can then be well-positioned to nurture the new generations of digital natives and impart them the necessary deep domain knowledge. This synergy holds the promise of sparking innovative breakthroughs,” Mr Chua explains.


Watch the full playlist on the NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2023 here.

For more information on NUS-ISS Executive Education Programmes in Artificial Intelligence, visit here.