October 2023CONSTRUCTIONTECHREVIEW.COM8IN MYOPINIONBy Raymond Kent, ASTC, Assoc AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Technology Design Leader, Principal, DLR GroupINTEGRATION OF AI INTO IOT DEVICES THAT HAVE BECOME UBIQUITOUS IN BUILDING PROJECTS IS NOT NEW, BUT THE WAY THAT IMPLEMENTING AND USING AI IS EVOLVING AT A FASTER PACE THAN ANYONE HAD ANTICIPATEDRapid convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI) has been quite the hot topic in the Architect/Engineering/Construction sector these days, especially with the news focusing on ChatGPT and Dali-2 creating some interesting (and cringe-worthy) results. Many industries are dipping their toes into how to integrate AI into their lives while others are jumping in with both feet. Google and Microsoft re-cently announced the integration of AI into their search engines and many social media platforms are integrating AI based tools to enhance the experience and further add creative flair to con-tent development. The built environment is no different. Many on both the design side and in construction are looking for ways to integrate AI into their processes to improve productivity, enhance design outcomes, and generate or analyze data that can be used in the design, construction, and operation of a project. One way is through the evolution of IoT devices within building management platforms that are driving energy efficiencies, occupant comfort, and creating mountains of data that inform building owners and operators about what is happening in their buildings. Integration of AI into IoT devices that have become ubiquitous in building projects is not new, but the way that implementing and using AI is evolving at a faster pace than anyone had anticipated. This powerful alliance has revolutionized the way architects and construction professionals conceptualize, plan, and execute building projects. By harnessing AI and IoT technologies, architects and the construction industry can now deliver smarter buildings that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and tailored to meet the evolving needs of occupants.A key driver in this is that large amount of data being generated by IoT devices and what to do with it. Artificial intelligence can sift through and create actionable directives in real time, faster than its human counter parts and IoT can monitor far better than anyone when it comes to specific tasks. This ability also shifts in fundamental ways classic data storage and processing architectures related to how we process that data, transfer it over a network, and even treat it in the cloud. As we continue to create smarter buildings for our clients, this integration of AI and IoT will be a major component to the success of these projects and a better experience overall for its occupants. Many of the major benefits of AIoT work behind the scenes in design and construction that the building's owners and occupants are not even aware of. It starts with design where architects and engineers can leverage the power of AI through enhanced design visualization empowering architects to create visually stunning and functionally efficient structures. With the integration of AI-powered algorithms, architects can analyze vast amounts of data, including environmental conditions, geographical factors, and building materials. This analysis enables architects to optimize designs based on factors like solar orientation, energy consumption, and occupant comfort.In addition, the combination of AI and IoT enables architects to create immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences during the design process that can be used as a communication platform with design team members, clients, and constructors alike locally within an office or virtually. When it comes to renovations of existing spaces design teams can leveraging IoT sensors capturing real-time data from physical spaces and use AI algorithms to transform that data into interactive virtual models. This allows stakeholders to experience and evaluate architectural designs before they are built, facilitating better decision-making, reducing design errors, and ensuring that the final project meets the desired goals.The power of this combination can also aid in sustainability efforts where energy efficiency is a paramount concern for clients and communities. The integration of AI and IoT enables architects to develop intelligent systems for energy management within buildings. IoT sensors embedded in various components
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