New York Construction Report staff writer
Turner Construction and Company has launched a 2024 AI Innovation Challenge with an “AI Opportunity Mapping” workshop.
“The workshop underscored AI’s critical role in enhancing safety,” Martine Sanders, vice-president and general manager at Turner Construction Company, said in a statement. “We aim to develop impactful AI solutions that help us achieve our Building L.I.F.E.® vision of living injury-free every day.”
The program will also feature a multi-day AI Design Sprint Hackathon, where Turner teams, external consultants, and developers will collaboratively design and prototype AI solutions. These innovation events are crucial for exploring AI’s transformative applications across Turner’s operations.
It was launched following an Innovation Symposium hosted recently by Turner Construction Company and the New York Chapter of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, delving into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the design and construction of buildings and urban environments.
Keynote speaker Professor Karan Girotra, co-founder and professor at Cornell Tech, and an AI strategy consultant highlighted recent advancements in AI and the implications for the built environment. He compared the impact of AI to historic innovations such as the steam engine, suggesting that AI will similarly revolutionize industries by initially boosting productivity and eventually enabling new business models.
Also, a panel discussion focused on AI’s current and future impact on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Topics included AI-driven productivity enhancements, evolving job roles, and AI’s potential to tackle longstanding industry challenges. The discussion also stressed the importance of responsible AI governance in fostering innovation within the AEC sector.
“We were thrilled to co-host this event with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,” said Charlie Whitney, vice-president and general manager at Turner Construction Company. “AI is already shaping the future of construction and helping companies advance. Turner is dedicated to integrating cutting-edge AI solutions into our operations. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving technological progress and the collective effort needed to harness AI’s full potential for a more sustainable and innovative urban future.”
Turner is significantly investing in AI to enhance efficiency across departments such as engineering, project management, construction operations, and finance. By leveraging AI, Turner enables employees to effectively analyze vast amounts of data. The Turner Engineering Group focuses on integrative generative design, exploring AI’s potential to optimize engineering processes.
