Interview with Bianca Weber-Lewerenz, CEO in BWL Engineering, founder and leader of the Excellence Initiative for sustainable, human led AI in Construction, specializes in sustainable Project-Life-Cycle Management, including Project & Quality Management, and Contract and Claim Management. Bianca’s goal: enhance project value and ensure financial success through sustainable and ethical AI practices.

Interview taken by Kateryna Pylypchuk, Strategic Business Development Advisor of Modulina Straw Panels.

Kateryna: First, I’d like to ask you to introduce yourself briefly. Why is it very important for you to be the advocate of AI in construction? Why did you decide to take this role, and what is moving you forward in life?

Bianca: As a civil engineer driven by passion, I am deeply interested in all aspects of new emerging technologies like BIM, digital twins, and artificial intelligence. My enthusiasm lies in understanding how these technologies can support our industry and exploring the potential they hold to make our work in construction much easier, safer, and more secure. Additionally, I aim to reduce energy costs and overall consumption of material resources. There are countless opportunities and possibilities that we must explore to find the most sustainable methods. For me, sustainability encompasses not only environmental considerations but also social and societal sustainability. I believe that digital transformation is fundamentally about human transformation—it’s about bringing people along on the journey, demonstrating the options available, and building trust. My time in China, where I lived and worked for seven years with my husband, allowed me to witness firsthand the rapid development of technologies under different political and operational frameworks. This experience showed me the importance of finding more straightforward work methods and enhancing efficiency and productivity, particularly in construction practices like wood and prefabrication. I am particularly interested in embedding potential and recognizing risks within our Western context. This led me to focus my dissertation work on corporate digital responsibility, especially on how corporate environments can responsibly navigate digital change to achieve sustainable goals. Now, I have founded my excellence initiative for human-led sustainable AI. My goal is to foster discussion, bring people together, and facilitate exchange on these critical topics.

Kateryna: That’s quite fascinating. Can you share a little bit more about this initiative? What is the Excellence AI Initiative about?

Bianca: Certainly. My primary goal with the Excellence AI Initiative is to enhance visibility and integration of AI in the construction sector. While industries such as mechanical engineering, medicine, law, and various social fields have long engaged in discussions about AI, construction has somewhat lagged behind, still heavily focused on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins. However, the sector has not fully embraced the potential for innovation through AI-based methods, particularly in embedding these technologies into decision-making processes to boost productivity and efficiency. My initiative aims to bridge this gap by bringing together professionals, researchers, and stakeholders within the construction industry to explore and discuss the vast possibilities AI offers. By naming this initiative, I intended to give a clear identity and focus to our efforts, emphasizing the importance of integrating advanced AI technologies to revolutionize construction practices. It’s about fostering a community that can collectively push the boundaries of what’s possible in construction through AI, ensuring that the industry not only keeps pace with technological advancements but leads in innovative applications for sustainable, efficient, and safer construction outcomes.

Kateryna: Interesting perspective. How then can you compare the roles and potential impacts of high-tech solutions, such as AI, versus low-tech sustainable materials like straw, in transforming the construction industry?

Bianca: That’s a very insightful question. When we discuss sustainability in construction, we often think about reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and resource use. Low-tech sustainable materials like straw and modular fabrication methods, such as using wood panels, offer direct ways to address these issues by minimizing material resources and protecting our environment. These approaches are inherently geared towards reducing waste and enhancing the sustainability of construction materials.

On the other hand, high-tech solutions like AI have a different but complementary role. AI-based methods can optimize the fabrication process, determine the most efficient use of materials, and significantly reduce waste. The application of AI extends across the entire lifecycle of a building, from initial concept and planning to eventual dismantling, embodying the cradle-to-cradle philosophy. AI can analyze and predict the best ways to reuse and recycle materials at the end of a building’s life, closing the loop in the construction process.

Comparatively, while low-tech solutions offer immediate environmental benefits through the use of sustainable materials, AI and other high-tech innovations provide the framework for optimizing these practices on a larger scale. They enable us to understand and implement sustainability in construction more effectively, from resource management to lifecycle analysis. In essence, both approaches are crucial for the transformation of the construction industry towards greater sustainability. AI acts as a powerful tool that, when used in conjunction with sustainable materials and practices, can revolutionize how we build, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and resilience are at the forefront of every project.

Kateryna: Absolutely, it’s all about optimization—optimizing time, resources, and efforts, which inherently leads to reduced CO2 emissions. From your perspective, what are the unique challenges and opportunities that AI presents in the construction industry based on your experiences?

Bianca: One of the foremost challenges we face with AI integration into construction is essentially human-centric—the issue of trust. There’s a significant gap in understanding and acceptance of AI within the industry. Many individuals harbor concerns about AI, fearing it might lead to automation that could usurp human control or jobs, which is a fundamental misunderstanding. Instead, we should view AI as a supportive technology, a tool that enhances human work rather than replaces it. The key to overcoming this challenge is to foster discussions that build trust and transparency around AI, ensuring that people understand its definition, intentions, and, most importantly, its value addition.

In my experience, the leadership within companies plays a crucial role. When upper management embraces innovation and sets up the necessary infrastructure for integrating AI—such as cloud communication, on-site digital tools like laptops and iPads, and unified platforms for data management—it can significantly shift the company culture towards acceptance and utilization of AI. This approach helps move away from the traditional, fragmented methods of construction documentation towards a more integrated, efficient model.

Furthermore, construction has traditionally been a conservative, male-dominated industry. Introducing AI, along with a focus on innovation, diversity, and inclusion, can not only revolutionize the technical aspects of construction but also its cultural and societal frameworks. AI’s potential isn’t limited to just technological advancements; it’s about shaping the industry and society at large, making it more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable. There are already best practices and successful case studies out there showing how AI can be leveraged for substantial benefits, but the broader adoption requires overcoming these human and cultural hurdles to fully realize AI’s potential in construction.

Kateryna: With the rapid emergence of new tools and technologies, especially in AI, it’s clear that sometimes we struggle to keep up with learning and adapting to these advancements. Do you see this as a challenge in learning AI?

Bianca: Absolutely, I strongly agree with your observation. The pace at which AI and related technologies are advancing is indeed breathtaking, and it presents a significant learning curve for everyone involved. The Open Letter by The FutureofLife-Initiative addressed to pause giant AI experiments, citing ‘risks to society’. It was mentioned by leaders in the tech industry, including Elon Musk, emphasizing the need to moderate the pace of development in AI. This caution is rooted in the understanding that as AI evolves, so too do the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with its application. 

It’s crucial for us to take a step back periodically to critically assess our trajectory with AI. We need to ask ourselves whether we are moving in the right direction, whether the original intentions behind incorporating AI are still valid, and whether adjustments are needed to align with new circumstances and regulatory frameworks. Moreover, as AI becomes more integrated into our lives and work, the need for legal and ethical guidelines becomes increasingly apparent. These guidelines are essential to safeguard human rights, democratic values, personal privacy, and data security.

So, yes, learning to navigate AI is not just about understanding the technology itself but also about grappling with its broader implications. This includes staying informed about new tools, understanding their potential impact, and ensuring that their development and application are guided by ethical considerations and protective measures. It’s a multifaceted challenge that requires ongoing education, critical thinking, and collaboration among all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem.

Kateryna: Considering the rapid development of AI and the slower pace of legislative processes, do you think employing AI to help develop more sustainable and responsive legislation for the construction industry could be beneficial? How do you view the potential of AI in shaping legislation, especially with concerns about data security and misuse?

Bianca: Utilizing AI to aid in the development of legislation for the construction industry, or any sector for that matter, is indeed a fascinating proposition. AI has the potential to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns or needs that may not be immediately obvious to human legislators. This could lead to more informed, effective, and sustainable legislation that can adapt more rapidly to technological advancements and changes within the industry.

However, the critical concern in this scenario is data security and the prevention of misuse, particularly in the construction sector where projects often span global locations with diverse teams. The construction industry’s reliance on extensive project data and personal information necessitates robust data protection measures. When AI processes user data—for instance, in the context of smart cities—it’s essential to ensure that personal and human rights are safeguarded, and that data is used ethically and responsibly.

The challenge lies in the current state of data protection regulations, which may not yet be fully equipped to handle the nuances of AI-driven data usage. As AI systems can generate insights based on extensive user data, including predictive simulations for energy consumption or project planning, ensuring the security and confidentiality of this data is paramount. This includes safeguarding the layouts, personal data of customers, and other sensitive information intrinsic to construction projects.

In essence, while AI could significantly contribute to the legislative process by making it more responsive and aligned with current and future needs, the framework for data protection needs to be robust and evolve in tandem. Existing data protection regulations might not be sufficient to cover the breadth of AI applications and their implications. Therefore, as we consider integrating AI into the legislative process, parallel efforts must be made to strengthen data protection laws and ensure they are capable of securing the vast amounts of data AI systems rely upon. This dual approach would help harness the benefits of AI in legislation while safeguarding against potential risks associated with data misuse and privacy breaches.

Kateryna: Indeed, integrating intellectual property protections for digital assets, like engineering drawings uploaded to AI systems, presents its own set of challenges. On another note, considering the emerging interest in sustainable, low-tech materials like straw, alongside the booming digital transformation, how can the construction industry reconcile these seemingly disparate approaches? How can they integrate hands-on, traditional building techniques with advanced digital technologies?

Bianca: This question touches on the heart of modernizing the construction industry while preserving sustainability and traditional craftsmanship. The construction sector’s diversity, in terms of company sizes and capabilities, necessitates a multifaceted approach to innovation and digital transformation.

Larger companies, with the necessary financial resources and research and development capabilities, often lead the way in adopting new technologies and methods. These pioneers can serve as benchmarks and role models for medium and smaller-sized firms, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of integrating digital strategies with traditional construction techniques.

For smaller firms, which represent a significant portion of the industry, the approach to digital transformation and sustainability needs to be tailored to their specific contexts. Not every company can or should act like a large corporation; instead, each should develop a unique digital strategy that aligns with its capabilities, needs, and aspirations. This might involve identifying the most relevant technologies and processes that can be implemented within their existing infrastructure and budget, such as adopting Building Information Modeling (BIM) incrementally.

The journey towards integrating low-tech solutions like straw with digital technologies requires step-by-step progression, guided by a clear digital strategy tailored to each company’s unique situation. This strategy should consider the company’s size, the potential for innovation, and a commitment to sustainability goals. Embracing new technologies doesn’t mean discarding valuable traditional methods; rather, it’s about enhancing them with digital tools to achieve better outcomes, including efficiency, sustainability, and resource conservation.

Moreover, there’s a role for policy and leadership at the national or industry level to incentivize the use of sustainable materials and practices. For instance, construction contracts could mandate a certain percentage of recycled materials, promoting the recycling and reuse of resources and reducing reliance on high-CO2-emission materials like new cement. Such policies would not only support sustainability but also encourage the entire industry to move towards a more balanced integration of traditional and digital construction methods. This approach ensures that the industry advances technologically while fulfilling its responsibility towards climate goals and resource conservation.

Kateryna: From what you’ve shared, it seems that finding a balance between traditional construction methods and digital innovation requires government involvement to enforce the use of sustainable materials. Moreover, AI technologies could be leveraged to further enhance sustainability within the industry. How do you see the construction sector engaging in broader discussions on these topics, such as the ones surrounding the Artificial Intelligence Act?

Bianca: Exactly, the role of government and regulatory bodies is crucial in setting the stage for sustainable practices within the construction industry. While there are many discussions and initiatives within the sector focused on sustainability and digital transformation, what’s often missing is a unified approach that brings these discussions together under a comprehensive framework. The construction industry needs to be more actively involved in broader legislative and policy discussions, such as those pertaining to the Artificial Intelligence Act, to ensure that the specific needs and challenges of the sector are addressed and integrated into these frameworks.

In my role as an independent researcher and speaker, I’ve endeavored to bridge this gap by bringing insights from the construction industry into wider discussions on sustainability and AI. Through participating in discussions, publishing books, and sharing knowledge and experiences from past projects, I aim to raise awareness about the construction industry’s potential for innovation and sustainability. However, these efforts, while impactful, represent just a small part of what needs to be a much larger movement.

The construction industry has a significant footprint and, consequently, a substantial potential to influence sustainability and innovation. It’s about harnessing this potential by engaging more directly with policy makers, contributing to legislative discussions, and ensuring that the industry’s voice is heard in the creation of frameworks that govern the use of AI and other technologies. This requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in the construction industry, from small firms to large corporations, to advocate for policies that support the integration of sustainable materials and AI technologies, ultimately leading to a more sustainable, efficient, and innovative construction sector.

Kateryna: It’s fascinating to hear about your insights into AI applications within the construction industry. Could you share more about the specific AI technologies and methods that you’ve come across during your research, such as object recognition, simulation models, and risk management, and how they are currently being implemented in construction projects?

Bianca: Absolutely, there’s been a noticeable advancement in how AI technologies are applied within the construction sector, moving beyond the theoretical to practical, impactful implementations. For instance, AI-powered object and image recognition technologies have revolutionized site monitoring and quality control processes. These technologies can automatically analyze photos from construction sites to identify whether work is progressing as planned, detect safety hazards, and ensure that construction materials are correctly used and placed.

Similarly, AI-based simulation models have become invaluable in planning and decision-making processes. These models can simulate various construction scenarios, helping project managers choose the most efficient methods, predict potential delays, and optimize resource allocation. This capability significantly enhances project planning and can lead to substantial cost and time savings.

Risk management is another area where AI has made a profound impact. By analyzing historical data and ongoing project metrics, AI algorithms can predict potential risks and suggest mitigation strategies. This proactive approach to risk management helps in avoiding delays, reducing costs, and ensuring worker safety.

Despite these advancements, there’s a sentiment within the industry that we should be further along in integrating AI technologies. The discussion often revolves around the widespread implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a technology that, while revolutionary, has been around for decades. The conversation needs to move beyond BIM to explore how AI can further transform construction practices.

The history of AI stretches back to the 1950s and 1960s, yet its integration into construction has been relatively slow compared to its potential. This isn’t just about adopting new technologies for the sake of innovation; it’s about recognizing the responsibility we have towards future generations. The use of AI in construction is not merely a technical challenge but a necessary transformation to address climate change, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and human welfare. The industry must move from discussion to action, implementing AI solutions that contribute to more efficient, safe, and sustainable construction practices. It’s time for the construction sector to embrace this change and utilize AI technologies to their fullest potential, ensuring a better future for all.

Kateryna: It’s compelling to consider the future of construction through the lens of AI and sustainable practices. In envisioning such a future, what large-scale projects could serve as the best showcases for the integration of AI methodologies and sustainability that we dream about?

Bianca: In my ideal future, projects would exemplify three foundational principles—being completed on time, within budget, and with high quality—and I would add a fourth crucial element: the happiness and well-being of the people involved in construction. This holistic approach underscores the significance of not only the tangible outcomes of construction projects but also the human element. Construction is, at its core, a human endeavor, reliant on the skills, dedication, and hard work of people. Recognizing and valuing this contribution is fundamental to transforming the industry’s reputation and ensuring its sustainability.

Kateryna: And considering the environment, would you then suggest a fifth element, focusing on the planet?

Bianca: Absolutely, the fifth element would emphasize the construction industry’s role as a steward of the planet. This involves assuming responsibility for our impact on the global environment and striving to minimize it. By incorporating this perspective, we complete the scheme, creating a construction process that is not only centered around human well-being but also deeply mindful of our planet’s health.

Kateryna: So, with these five elements, it seems we could achieve a well-rounded and sustainable approach to construction.

Bianca: Precisely. By balancing economic objectives and cost considerations with the human factor and environmental responsibility, we advocate for value-based engineering. This approach goes beyond mere financial metrics to encompass a broader, more inclusive understanding of value that includes social, environmental, and human well-being. Such a paradigm shift could herald a new era in construction, where projects are not only benchmarks of technological and architectural achievement but also examples of ethical, sustainable, and human-centered development. This vision for the future represents a comprehensive and integrated approach to construction that honors our commitment to both people and the planet.

Kateryna: Indeed, the discussion we’ve started today lays the groundwork for ongoing exploration and action. Regarding the transition towards integrating AI and sustainable practices in construction, what role do you see for education and policy in supporting this shift?

Bianca: Education and policy are pivotal in facilitating this transition. Knowledge and new know-how are generated within academic institutions, making it essential to focus on how this knowledge is produced and exchanged. It’s crucial for students to be eager to learn about these technologies, and from my interactions with university professors, it’s clear that while maintaining foundational civil engineering skills is important, there’s also a need to integrate BIM, AI, and digital twin technologies into the curriculum. This integration ensures that students are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the construction industry.

Kateryna: So, there’s a need for more trainers in this area?

Bianca: Absolutely. Trainers themselves must be well-educated in these technologies to effectively pass on their knowledge. This requires a continuous learning process for educators to stay abreast of advancements in their fields.

Kateryna: Considering the rapid development of these technologies, who will teach the new generations of engineers, architects, and constructors?

Bianca: Professors and educators must be well-prepared and knowledgeable about AI, BIM, and digital twin technologies to effectively teach their students. This preparation is crucial across all specializations within construction, whether it’s water construction, wood construction, or any other area. The knowledge transfer should not be one-directional from academia to practice but also involve feedback loops where practical experiences and research and development inform academic teaching.

Kateryna: It seems like the learning process itself needs rethinking.

Bianca: Exactly. The traditional lecture-based model may not always be the most effective way to teach about rapidly evolving technologies. Engaging students in workshops and practical projects where they can contribute their ideas and innovations fosters a more dynamic and reciprocal learning environment. Sometimes, students might be ahead of their professors in certain technologies or innovative approaches, highlighting the importance of a participatory learning model. This approach not only enriches the educational experience but also prepares students for the collaborative and ever-changing nature of the construction industry.

Kateryna: Probably you want to add something from yourself, what you wanted to say and you didn’t say yet, what you think it’s important for people to know.

Bianca: I’d like to emphasize the importance of adopting a proactive and forward-thinking mindset within the construction industry. It’s crucial for all stakeholders—be it companies, workers, or students—to embrace a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This involves critically assessing existing processes, implementing digital strategies, and always striving to enhance the quality and sustainability of their work. 

The competitive landscape is also changing, with students and future professionals looking for employers who value innovation and sustainability. It’s not enough to rest on current achievements or postpone action, hoping future generations will address today’s challenges. The industry must actively engage with emerging technologies and digital tools to meet sustainability goals and address past oversights.

We are at a pivotal moment where the construction industry can lead by example, showcasing how innovation, driven by AI and other technologies, can achieve sustainable development. This requires a collective effort to not only adopt new technologies but also to foster a culture that values and prioritizes sustainability, efficiency, and human-centric approaches. By doing so, we can ensure a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future for the construction industry and society at large.

Kateryna: It was a very nice interview, and I believe that everyone who reads it will be very inspired by what you say. As Alice in Wonderland said, in your world, you walk somewhere by moving from one place to another. In our world, we need to move twice as fast. We have to move somewhere because if we are just moving, we are standing in the same place. That’s what we have at this moment, I think, with all these emerging technologies around us. And if we just move as we did in previous times, we will stand in the same place. But if we stand still, then we move backward. That’s the process we are witnessing at this moment and taking part in, I think.

Thank you, Bianca!
Bianca: Thank you for the invitation and look forward to hear more talking around about the straw in building technologies.

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