Technology and Innovation

Cobots

This Executive Insight provides a comprehensive overview of collaborative robots, commonly known as cobots, which are revolutionizing the engineering and construction industries.

Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Quantity Takeoffs in Engineering & Construction Organizations

This executive insight focuses on organizational and management considerations that E&C organizations should weigh as they consider digitizing QT operations by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) software.

Organizational and Management Considerations in the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering & Construction Organizations

Artificial Intelligence represents tremendous potential both within the E&C industry as well as society more broadly, with predictions that AI could drive a seven percent (or almost $7 trillion) increase in global GDP and lift productivity growth by 1.5 percentage points over a ten-year period.

Technology and Innovation in the Engineering and Construction Industry

The E&C industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements. Many of these advancements have been developed, are well-documented, and have been successfully adopted in other industries.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Construction Safety

The engineering and construction industry is experiencing a transformative shift with the integration of AI. Applying AI in the industry is evolving rapidly, particularly with respect to construction safety.

Innovation Cycles and the Engineering and Construction Industry

This Executive Insight focuses on three broader innovation cycles (not engineering and construction industry specific), their impact, how the engineering and construction industry has capitalized on each cycle, and whether the industry was a leader or a laggard.

Innovation and Technology Convergence

This Executive Insight focuses on broader, more systemic opportunities for innovation.

Innovation Spaces and Stories

This Executive Insight illustrates the range of innovations that are possible.

Fostering Open Innovation

All firms struggle with innovation, whether that innovation be incremental or revolutionary. In part, this struggle is due to the use of traditional, closed innovation systems.

Systemic Innovation

Periodically it is necessary to question whether a current paradigm will suffice into the future.

Managing Innovation

This Executive Insight reflects the author's experience as a member of engineering, construction, and industry organizations focused on innovation within the E&C industry.

Trends for the Construction Industry: Innovation to be Accelerated

This Insight is written from a perspective of the connection of current events in social activity stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the phenomena of large-scale retirements.

Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Management of Large Complex Projects1

AI makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and perform human-like tasks. Examples are computers learning to play chess or Jeopardy™ using AI, for intelligent assistants (Siri; Alexa), or for self-driving cars.

Artificial Intelligence Ethics in the Project Management and Civil Engineering Domains

Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled systems, machines, and algorithms undertaking cognitive tasks raise a myriad of ethical issues. The primary concern is to ensure that AI does not harm, directly or indirectly, humans or the environment.

Proper Reliance on Artificial Intelligence in Project Management

The interest in the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) into the management of projects, especially large complex projects, is growing. Other NAC Executive Insights1 highlight some of the limitations, cautions, and transparency required while at the same time outline the benefits available.