Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, are an exciting new technology, but does it have any serious application in construction? Richard Stockley, Managing Director at RRC International, believes so, specifically in health and safety training and education.
Since the launch of ChatGPT and Google Bard back in 2022, there’s been waves of both enthusiasm and scepticism for the new technology.
Certainly, in desk-based jobs and in administrative scenarios, and as an alternative to search engines, there is clear potential. But will these tools have an impact on more practical industries, like construction?
We are already seeing how AI can support early stage building design by automating the optimisation of designs, for a human to then work from. When combined with Virtual Reality tech, AI can help architects and specifiers to explore different design options quickly and cheaply. AI combined with VR is also useful for safety simulations, reducing the risk of incidents in real life.
In both cases, though, AI is part of the solution. Will ChatGPT, and tools like it, have a direct impact on construction? I think so, in occupational health and safety e-learning.
Health and safety e-learning has used low-level AI for years. Machine Learning serves up content based on how well a user is performing in interactive learning modules and provides basic feedback when they make predictable mistakes. This is in much the same way as the language-learning app, Duolingo, works.
While cheaper and less time-intensive than classroom-based learning, the main limitation of e-learning is the issue of unpredictable mistakes. A human teacher can identify unpredictable mistakes, issues or barriers to learning and adapt on the fly. Machine Learning cannot do this.
This is where ChatGPT and tools like it can have a major impact, by bridging the gap between e-learning and learning with a human teacher. In an e-learning module powered by Generative AI, learners can receive personalised and contextual feedback, much closer in quality to what you might get from a human teacher. This means higher quality, cheaper and easier learning, which in turn could mean a safer workforce, with fewer incidents, accidents and ill health.
But new technology is often a double-edged sword. We’ve seen issues already with AI creating poor quality content that is often incorrect and, in some cases, riddled with biases.
And, as it gets cheaper to produce e-learning, we will inevitably see a flood of very specific courses for unique infrequent tasks and issues. This is not a bad thing in principle, but home-brewed training courses aren’t guaranteed to be up to muster, and AI borne mistakes may go unnoticed.
Big picture though, the long-term impact of ChatGPT-like AI tools will be positive if it improves our ability to transfer, process and learn information on the job. Better learning improves staff engagement and retention, workplace culture, and, of course, health and safety.
At RRC, we’re positive that the carefully considered application of Generative AI will improve health and safety training in construction.