Construction companies' artificial intelligence (AI) services are evolving. Beyond basic processes such as excavation and hauling, AI is permeating the construction industry across cost estimation, review of contracts for overseas projects, safety training for foreign workers, and even resident services after completion. It is moving past merely improving on-site work efficiency to become a core technology that shapes internal decision-making at corporations and the quality of residential services.
◇ Autonomous Driving forklifts roaming sites at night… "reduce process interference"
The most prominent area of AI use is the actual construction site. Samsung C&T's construction division introduced Autonomous Driving forklifts and material-moving robots using AI technology at the Banpo District 3 reconstruction site in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
By automatically transporting materials at night when there is no work on site, it minimizes interference with daytime processes and improves work efficiency. The Autonomous Driving forklifts recognize pallets stacked on site and transport materials to designated locations, after which the material-moving robots load the distributed materials, call and board the elevator, and transport and unload them inside each apartment unit.
POSCO E&C is using AI for concrete quality control. Before pouring, AI analyzes the condition of ready-mix concrete to keep construction quality consistent. AI automatically calculates slump, which indicates the consistency of fresh concrete, and moisture content to reduce variations stemming from worker experience.
A POSCO E&C official said, "We are moving away from relying on skilled workers' experience through data-based scientific management," and noted, "We are using AI to help achieve sturdier and safer construction of structures."
◇ AI also handles cost estimation and contract review
AI is also being rapidly applied to the internal operations of construction companies. Lotte Construction developed an "AI construction estimate model" to increase efficiency in cost estimation work. The model standardizes cost estimate line items and is designed to allow pricing based on objective criteria.
In particular, by introducing natural language-based mapping technology, it can derive related unit prices without checking complex legacy estimate codes one by one. Lotte Construction expects this to simultaneously increase the speed and accuracy of estimating work.
Daewoo Engineering & Construction is using a self-developed contract document analysis system called "Baro-Dab AI." It supports rapid and accurate review of voluminous contracts for domestic and overseas projects using AI throughout bidding and execution. It also incorporates various technologies that detect construction risks in advance to effectively reduce potential risk factors during project execution.
The system has completed practical verification on projects such as the Mozambique LNG project and is being expanded to various overseas businesses. Lee Hee-ung, Head of Team of the AX Data Team at Daewoo Engineering & Construction, said, "Baro-Dab AI immediately finds the information needed within project documents that run to thousands of pages and organizes it with precise grounds," adding, "In the past, it took half a day just to find materials, but now, with AI's help, we can secure key information in a few minutes and focus on essential decision-making."
◇ Safety training for foreign workers, powered by AI
AI is also being used for safety training for foreign workers. Samsung C&T collaborated with the AI-based Edtech company HILOCAL to conduct an "AI solution safety training pilot project" for foreign workers at partner companies on construction sites. The solution integrates AI multilingual translation, real-time image translation, and a major accident prevention safety training AI tutor. It supports 40 languages. In the pilot, STT (Speech-to-Text) accuracy and translation accuracy both averaged over 80%, and worker satisfaction among major nationalities such as Vietnam, Nepal and Uzbekistan also met targets.
◇ Expanding into resident services such as detecting electric vehicle fires
AI is also expanding into resident services after completion. IPARK Hyundai Development Company (formerly HDC Hyundai Development Company) is applying an AI-based fire prevention system to parking lots in IPARK complexes. Starting with "Seoul One IPARK," created through the development of the area around Gwangwoon University Station in Nowon-gu, Seoul, it is introducing an auxiliary electric vehicle fire detection system in underground parking lots. By installing intelligent AI CCTVs and thermal imaging cameras, the system detects the possibility of electric vehicle fires early and enables a swift response.
Industry analysts say AI is becoming a core technology that boosts on-site productivity and safety, business viability assessment, and competitiveness in residential services, moving beyond a simple work aid. A construction industry official said, "Construction is an industry with many on-site variables and extensive paperwork," adding, "How effectively AI is integrated on site will determine construction companies' competitiveness going forward."