As companies increasingly adopt advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), understanding what data to share, what to keep private, and what data your business owns is vital. The construction contractor's dilemma then is to decide whether it is better to share or go in alone on artificial intelligence.

Data Ownership & Sharing in the AEC Industry

Data ownership in the AEC industry encompasses the rights and responsibilities associated with collecting, managing, and utilizing data generated throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. With the proliferation of digital tools and technologies, vast amounts of data are produced daily, ranging from design models and project schedules to materials specifications and on-site sensor data.

The importance of data ownership cannot be overstated. It ensures that companies have control over their data, enabling them to leverage it for competitive advantage, improve decision-making, and enhance operational efficiency. In the age of AI, data ownership is also a valuable consideration for both contractors and technology solution providers.

The AEC industry faces unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to data ownership. Construction projects are highly collaborative between multiple stakeholders from architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and clients. The sheer volume of data, both structured and unstructured, generated from construction projects poses an opportunity for massive insights if translated into interpretable information.

Tech companies benefit from the use of this information, but understanding their obligation to respect creative ownership and rights makes them reliant on contractors sharing data to deliver insightful AI functionality in their products. By clearly defining data ownership and usage rights, AEC firms can foster greater collaboration and trust among stakeholders, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.

Industry Player Insights

To gain deeper insights into this topic, we turned to industry experts Cutler Knupp and Jay Cami. Cutler Knupp, director of strategy and technology investment at Dysruptek by Haskell, and Jay Cami, co-founder and CEO of Construct AI, who offered valuable insights on the subject of data ownership and AI, building on an earlier BuiltWorlds article.

Knupp brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from Dysruptek by Haskell, a firm known for investing in cutting-edge technology to drive innovation in construction. At Construct AI, Cami has led the development of AI-driven solutions tailored for the construction industry. Their expertise lends a deep understanding of both strategic investment and practical AI application within the AEC space.

Cami says those on the tech side have the obligation to effectively communicate the benefits of data sharing to contractors. Helping contractors understand avenues to work collaboratively on technological development, without sacrificing competitive advantage, will benefit both parties.

"Most industry players are willing to see a more efficient and productive AEC industry and it's our job as tech leaders to show them how to do that without hurting their competitive advantage," he says.

Cami acknowledges the challenges. “Sharing of data does not come easy in the AEC industry, but we have made some headway,” he says. He points to education and incentives as crucial tools in making contractors feel comfortable sharing their data, along with the promise of anonymity.

When it comes to adoption and sentiments regarding AI in the AEC industry, “The opportunity is now to harness the enthusiasm around AI in your organizations," Knupp emphasizes. His statement underscores the urgency and potential benefits of embracing AI technologies at this stage, including emerging trends.

"Voice search [is] becoming an area of interest for construction applications as the LLM's expand and improve," he adds as an example. "The latest release of GPT-4o are showing the power of this involving voice and audio."

As the AI landscape continues to evolve in terms of technological capabilities, user sentiments, and regulatory requirements, the stage is set for the construction industry to significantly benefit from this innovation. However, for contractors and tech solution providers to maximize the potential benefits they must decide an approach to the all important question: to share data or go in alone on artificial intelligence.

By considering these expert insights and carefully managing data ownership, companies in the AEC industry can navigate the complexities of AI integration more effectively and reap the rewards of advanced technology.