How visual data and AI are driving smarter jobsites

Contractors are investing in tools to solve the industry’s glaring productivity gap. Image: Adobe Stock

With labour shortages projected to cause a US$40 trillion shortfall in global construction output by 2040, the stakes for running efficient, safe, and well-managed jobsites have never been higher.

The industry is navigating rising equipment costs, new regulations, and mounting pressure to do more with less. And while most jobsite activities are visual by nature, many teams still lack the tools to capture that information consistently and turn it into insights that can shape decisions.

That’s where jobsite intelligence solutions come in. These solutions capture visual data and turn that data into insights that drive action. When used consistently, they help construction teams deliver projects on time and on budget.

AI scales jobsite intelligence

AI powered Jobsite intelligence solutions are changing how construction teams operate. Hardware-enabled software captures activity taking place onsite and provides insights through functionality such as image search. Instead of manually reviewing hours of footage or relying on scattered field notes, project managers can use intelligent search features to instantly surface key moments.

For example, when a subcontractor arrives late, a hazard is left unaddressed, or materials are offloaded at the wrong location. In essence, software with AI-powered search becomes a digital assistant to flag important activities, track progress, and surface the footage that matters. This not only accelerates decision-making but frees teams and jobsite managers to focus their attention on solving real problems on the ground.

With jobsite intelligence comes project control

When visibility is limited, so is control. Visual data gives the right people across a project, the ability to “be there” at critical moments. This remote accessibility improves decision-making, speeds response times, and supports a new generation of hybrid field-office collaboration.

This is vital if the construction industry is going to both overcome current labour challenges and make itself a viable career path for new generations of workers who expect digital accessibility. Visibility also reduces unnecessary travel and boosts team morale by giving project managers more flexible oversight and control of their projects.

Construction is increasingly turning to AI to help with some of its most glaring pain points. Image: Adobe Stock

Proactive risk reduction and process optimisation

An emerging area of opportunity for jobsite intelligence tools is additional proactivity for safety and success. The construction industry remains one of the most dangerous professions, experiencing the highest number of workplace fatalities since 2011 across all sectors in 2023. Between fall protection violations and increasingly expensive theft estimated at up to $1 billion annually, the cost of not seeing a risk before it becomes an incident is steep.

With the introduction of AI and the ability to automatically tag and document happenings, camera tools evolve from passive site monitoring to proactive risk management systems. This extends to notifications, which eliminates the burden for workers to be consistently looking at phones or computers when on the jobsite. While software works hard in the background, alerts can be delivered once certain search parameters are met that help inform a manager where action may be needed to avoid a potential incident.

A future built on insight

Contractors today are under pressure to deliver safe, secure, and successful projects with fewer people and tighter margins. Jobsite intelligence solutions are readily accessible and build off an already common construction practice – monitoring. By investing in visual data and AI-powered jobsite intelligence, forward-thinking construction leaders can improve outcomes, stay within budget, empower teams, and unlock new efficiencies.

Julie Pistritto is VP of Sales at Sensera Systems.