Turner bets big on AI with company-wide ChatGPT rollout

Jim Barrett from Turner Construction says that AI will ‘transform’ the construction industry. Image: Adobe Stock

Turner said that this decision reflects its commitment to, “making innovation accessible, practical, and empowering.” The company has around 11,000 employees. 

Jim Barrett, vice president and chief innovation officer at Turner said, “Our people are constantly challenging what’s possible and shaping the next generation of construction solutions.

“As we look ahead, innovation and AI will continue to expand what our people can achieve, helping us build smarter, connect globally, and lead transformation in our industry.”

At the summit there were AI learning sessions led by experts from OpenAI. Following this, participants put their knowledge into action during Turner’s largest-ever AI agent build session. In this collaborative hackathon, teams created more than 100 custom AI agents designed to address real project challenges, from streamlining contract reviews to enhancing safety protocols.

The contractor – one of the largest in the US by revenue – added that it has already embedded AI across its operations. These include AI-powered assistants and photo analysis tools that strengthen site safety and planning, to digital tracking systems that accelerate project delivery, autonomous drones that improve operational insight, and the Production Control System that standardises execution and reduces stress on project teams.

“As we look ahead, innovation and AI will continue to expand what our people can achieve, helping us build smarter, connect globally, and lead transformation in our industry,” added Barrett.