Association of Professional Builders launches AI training to keep members ahead of the curve

The Association of Professional Builders (APB) is set to roll out a training module to educate its 750 members on the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in the construction industry.

APB co-founder Russ Stephens said, “We’ve been talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) for years, but with the launch of ChatGPT, we realised just how quickly it was gaining traction globally, and as such, we didn’t want to be left behind.”

The association engaged an AI consultant to implement a framework within the company to ensure they were ahead of the curve and could bring their members along with them.

AI has the potential to assist construction companies with planning, optimising resource use, managing timelines, and achieving greater efficiency. According to a Deloitte forecast, AI and advanced data analytics technology could bring cost savings of 10 to 15 percent for construction projects, while also streamlining the design review process and reducing engineering hours by 10-30 percent.

With the AI in construction market expected to be worth $151.1 billion by 2032, according to a report from Global Market Insights, APB believes now is the time for builders to harness the technology effectively and keep up with its continuous advancements.

“AI is not something to be afraid of, in fact, a lot of residential building companies are already adopting the technology by default,” Stephens explained. “If we can figure out the structure and guide them on what the best solutions are, saving them a tonne of time, all they need do is implement time-saving systems that are going to improve their business, it’s a no-brainer for us.”

As an industry trailblazer and guiding force for its growing membership base across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, APB aims to improve the residential construction industry for both builders and consumers through initiatives like this AI training module.