Why People Still Matter in AI-Driven Construction
“People Build Faster with AI”, Foresight’s tagline, is fairly new – but what do we mean by it? Igor Shifrin, Foresight’s CEO, explains why people are at the heart of every construction project.
About a year ago, we made a subtle yet important change to our tagline: People Build Faster with AI. It wasn’t a decision we took lightly – in fact, it came after a series of conversations that opened our eyes to a core truth about the future of construction.
I remember sitting in a meeting with one of our clients, a project manager who had seen his fair share of industry shifts over the decades. As we discussed the growing role of AI in construction, he shared something that stuck with me: “At the end of the day, no matter how advanced the technology, it’s still the people who make or break a project.”
That was a turning point for us. While AI was – and still is – transforming how construction projects are managed, the real value came from how people were using it. It wasn’t about replacing professionals but empowering them to achieve more, faster, and with greater precision. And that’s when the new tagline clicked into place.
We wanted to emphasize that in this rapidly evolving, tech-driven landscape, people are still at the heart of every project. AI is a tool – an incredibly powerful one – but it’s the people who wield it that truly drive success.
“AI won’t replace people—but people who use AI will replace people who don’t.”
Daniel Pink, sociologist, and best-selling author
The Story Behind the Tagline
When we chose the words “People Build Faster with AI”, we were deliberate about each one. The emphasis on people is not just a nod to the workforce behind every project, but a statement about the role humans play in an industry that’s rapidly embracing technology.
For us, this wasn’t just another tagline – it’s a reflection of our core belief: AI is here to enhance human capability, not replace it. As much as AI can streamline processes, crunch data, and anticipate problems before they arise, it’s still the project managers, planners, and teams who take those insights and turn them into action.
In fact, that’s why we’ve focused on building an AI-driven construction project management tool that empowers people to do what they do best – make decisions, solve problems, and manage projects with greater efficiency. The idea wasn’t to automate away jobs but to give construction professionals the insights and tools they need to handle increasingly complex projects without getting bogged down in repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
AI, in our view, is a partner. It works alongside project teams, handling the mundane so they can focus on the strategic. It’s this balance between technology and human expertise that’s at the heart of our philosophy – and why we made sure people led the way in our tagline.
The Role of AI in Construction and Why It Matters
The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven largely by digitalization and the integration of AI, particularly as it faces a growing labor shortage. This shortage has reached critical levels, with 94% of construction firms reporting difficulties finding qualified workers according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Even more alarming is that this figure is up from 79% just two years ago. This has a measurable impact on projects, increasing costs, extending delivery schedules, and leading to ever more delayed or cancelled projects.
AI is helping to bridge this gap by automating time-consuming tasks, allowing existing teams to accomplish more without additional manpower. For example, AI can take over repetitive duties such as scheduling and progress monitoring, freeing up human professionals to focus on higher-level decision-making.
Yet perhaps even more importantly, the construction workforce is aging. According to the US Home Builders Institute’s (HBI’s) Spring 2024 Construction Labor Market Report, 22% of current workers are over 55, and the median age of all workers in construction is 42 years old. As a result, there’s an increasing need to attract younger, tech-savvy talent. The integration of AI could be a key factor in making the industry more appealing to this new generation, who are drawn to the idea of working with advanced technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation.
AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets, predict delays, and manage resources is helping to optimize project timelines and costs. This technology ensures that even with fewer workers, construction projects can stay on track and avoid overruns. By alleviating the labor burden and attracting a fresh wave of tech-centric workers, AI is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the future of the construction industry.
What Our Tagline Means for Foresight and the Future of Construction
At Foresight, the tagline “People Build Faster with AI” isn’t just a marketing slogan – it embodies our belief that the future of construction is human-led but powered by cutting-edge technology. For us, AI isn’t about replacing people – it’s about empowering them to achieve more. We believe that AI enables construction teams to work smarter, not harder, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. As the construction industry continues to face workforce challenges, our mission remains to place people at the heart of the process, with AI as the ultimate tool to help them succeed.
Ready to see how AI can empower your team and transform your construction projects? Schedule a call with one of our experts today, and discover how Foresight’s AI-driven tools can help you stay ahead, work smarter, and deliver on time. Let’s build the future – together.
