b' These technologies give us real-time insights on project sites that support our project managers and AUGMENTED / VIRTUAL REALITY day decision-making.superintendents in their day-to-Augmented and/or virtual reality has been a sci-fi mainstay for decades. Cody Nowell, Manager of Construction Now, the technology is beingServices, PCL Construction.adopted by construction companies to create interactive digital experiences that provide users with an enhanced view of the project throughout all its stages. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEThere are important differencesEntire books can be written about between augmented reality andthe many ways artificial intelligence virtual reality. The former defines(AI) is changing the way jobsites are technologies that users wear toassessed, managed and operated. see digital information overlaid inAnd certainly, AI is becoming a their real-world environment (e.g.,game-changer across all facets potential building designs on aof project development, from the real-world site), while the latterrise of copilots and AI bots that defines more immersive computer- help with communication, content generated simulations in which usersgeneration, collaboration andtechnology is also being wielded by can tour digital versions of projectsgeneral productivity, to machine- cyber threat actors: Cyber criminals before theyre completed. Bothlearning innovations that generateare leveraging the scale and speed technologies also have new construction materials, designof AI tools to conduct malicious training, marketing and buildingfloor plans or work through complexactivities. Some examples include management applications.technical data to solve problems,using AI-assisted reconnaissance among many other applications.and social targeting, advanced email Still, while AI can unlock efficienciesphishing operations and AI-generatedand productivity, Bialek warns that thespyware code.IOT PLATFORMSIoT (Internet of Things) describes the interconnected technologies (e.g., sensors, telematics, drones, etc.) that, as a whole, provide a data-rich view of a project across all its phases. IoT platforms, by extension, are computer platforms in which this information is centralized and analyzed for use in project decision-making. Through IoT platforms, contractors can monitor a host of key jobsite factors (e.g., vibrations, environmental conditions, material performance, interior building conditions, etc.).If theres a need to monitor site conditions remotely, theres likelyan IoT solution available for it,says Nowell. Hardware used in IoT interconnected technologies. Photo courtesy of PCL.38 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'