Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Knowledge Management in Construction

Abstract

Considerable progress has been made in the development and deployment of knowledge management (KM) systems in the construction industry. These have included a variety of technology and non-technology-based solutions that have had varying levels of impact on organizational knowledge management. Very few of the technology-based solutions adopted any artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The current resurgence of AI and data analytics presents a tremendous opportunity to re-engineer knowledge management systems such that they are a much more powerful and critical component of an organization's business infrastructure. This paper starts with a review of the evolution of knowledge management in construction sector organizations, and highlights the potential for AI-based KM. It also discusses the resurgence of AI and data analytics, and highlights the key technologies that could play a role in enhancing construction KM. Drawing on specific KM sub-processes, it describes the applicability of some AI techniques to organizational KM processes and systems. The benefits of the proposed AI-based KM are also presented.