Machine Learning
Not to be confused with: Rule-based automation, which follows predefined if/then logic rather than learning from data patterns.
A subset of artificial intelligence where algorithms improve their performance by learning from data without being explicitly programmed for each scenario. Machine learning models identify patterns and make predictions based on training data.
Why It Matters in Construction
Machine learning in construction requires large volumes of clean, structured operational data. Most contractors do not have this data because their systems are fragmented and inconsistent.
Common Examples
- A model trained on project photos to automatically identify safety violations.
- An algorithm that learns to estimate project durations based on historical performance data.
- Natural language processing that extracts key information from RFI responses.