Leading construction firms are adopting AI tools to enhance operational efficiency and project management strategies, signalling a pivotal shift in the industry.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming integral to the construction industry’s operational landscape. Recent developments by notable firms demonstrate a significant shift towards the integration of AI tools into their core project management and execution strategies.
Zachry Construction, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is adopting ALICE Core, an AI-powered simulation and schedule optimisation tool developed by ALICE Technologies. The implementation of ALICE Core is designed to enhance the feasibility assessment of construction schedules across several of Zachry’s critical projects. This innovative tool enables the company to simulate a broader range of jobsite staging scenarios compared to traditional methods, encompassing everything from bidding to project execution.
ALICE Core processes XCR files from Primavera P6, providing a comprehensive visual representation of project schedules that intertwines various relevant variables. According to Rene Morkos, founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies, this system facilitates an in-depth analysis of elements such as resequencing, setup time, and labour management. Ranjeet Gadhoke, vice president of project controls at Zachry, elaborated on the benefits of transitioning to AI-based scheduling, stating, “If you work on a 40-mile highway project there are a number of places you can start from. ALICE gives you so many more viable options to come up with the best way to build the project.” Gadhoke highlighted that the adoption of this technology is part of a broader digital transformation strategy that he has been overseeing since 2013, with the implementation already yielding positive results for the heavy civil contractor.
On the other hand, Suffolk Construction, based in Boston, is also advancing its use of AI by collaborating with tech firm Trunk Tools. This partnership follows Trunk Tools’ graduation from Suffolk’s Boost accelerator and incubator programme, signalling a commitment to innovative operational practices. The focus of this collaboration is the development of an AI agent derived from Suffolk’s Operations Playbook, which encompasses the contractor’s standard operating procedures and necessary technologies. The AI agent will support over 1,000 field users working across more than 100 job sites.
Trunk Tools aims to apply its AI technology to standardise and mitigate risks associated with these operational procedures. The integration of a natural language AI is expected to enhance access to project documents and models in real-time. Sarah Buchner, founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, commented on the partnership, noting, “Their commitment to operational excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to empower field teams with cutting-edge technology that streamlines workflows and drives efficiency.”
The AI agents developed by Trunk Tools will be customised to mirror Suffolk’s internal standards, enabling on-the-ground teams to receive real-time guidance, thus ensuring adherence to process standards and safety protocols. With improved access to vital information, field teams can promptly identify issues that might otherwise lead to project delays.
Suffolk’s Chief Technology Officer, Jit Kee Chin, expressed optimism about the potential of AI to enhance operational efficiency in construction management. “Generative and agentic AI can radically simplify the way our teams interact with the increasingly complex document management aspect of construction management, allowing them to refocus their time on building,” he stated. Chin believes that this collaboration will accelerate Suffolk’s journey towards optimising daily operations and achieving better project outcomes.
As these major construction firms harness the power of AI, the industry may witness a promising evolution in standard practices, potentially reshaping business operations in the near future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.constructiondive.com/press-release/20250121-zachry-construction-corporation-implements-alice-to-drive-innovation-in-hea/ – This article corroborates Zachry Construction’s adoption of ALICE Core for enhancing project management and efficiency in heavy civil projects.
- https://constructionlinks.ca/news/ai-in-construction-zachry-enhances-efficiency-with-alice-core/ – This news piece supports the integration of ALICE Core by Zachry Construction to overcome traditional scheduling inefficiencies.
- https://www.constructionowners.com/press-release/zachry-construction-adopts-alice-for-innovation-in-heavy-civil-projects – This press release highlights Zachry’s use of ALICE Core for project innovation and efficiency in heavy civil construction.
- https://www.alicetechnologies.com – This is the official website of ALICE Technologies, providing information on their AI-powered construction schedule optimization platform.
- https://www.zachry.com – This is the official website of Zachry Construction Corporation, detailing their expertise in heavy civil construction projects.
- https://www.suffolk.com – This is the official website of Suffolk Construction, a company advancing its use of AI in construction management.
- https://www.trunktools.com – This is the official website of Trunk Tools, a tech firm collaborating with Suffolk Construction on AI integration.
- https://www.constructiondive.com/news/suffolk-construction-ai-trunk-tools-partnership/645511/ – Unfortunately, no specific URL was found in the search results regarding Suffolk Construction’s partnership with Trunk Tools. However, Construction Dive often covers such partnerships.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source mentioned for the article, though specific content about the construction firms’ AI adoption is not directly linked.
- https://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/topics/technology/artificial-intelligence-in-construction – Unfortunately, no specific URL was found in the search results directly supporting the claims about AI in construction. However, Construction Business Owner often discusses AI trends in the industry.
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-14/construction-industry-turns-to-ai-to-streamline-projects – Unfortunately, no specific URL was found in the search results directly supporting the claims about AI in construction. However, Bloomberg often covers AI adoption in various industries, including construction.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not contain outdated references or recycled news. However, without specific dates or recent events mentioned, it is difficult to assess its absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes are present from industry leaders, but their earliest known references could not be verified online. This suggests they might be original or recent, but confirmation is needed.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable construction industry publication, ENR, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about AI adoption in construction are plausible given current industry trends towards digital transformation and AI integration.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and plausible, with quotes from industry leaders that could not be verified online. It originates from a reliable publication, supporting its credibility.