Autodesk CEO: AI can help America fix deteriorating infrastructure before it’s too late
America has an infrastructure problem. Almost half America’s public roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Most of 250,000 Bridges across the country will need to be replaced over the next two decades. And a quarter of America’s GDP depends on five cities that all face extreme weather risks.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this year was a stark reminder that some of America’s most critical infrastructure is also its most vulnerable. It took months for the Maryland government to fully reopen the port; The bridge itself will take years to repair.
More recently, a flood in the Queens-Midtown tunnel—caused by human error from a nearby work crew—temporarily closed one of the busiest thoroughfares in a city that was virtually shut down . 1 million people travel every day.
Doing nothing will be costly, both financially and in terms of public safety. However, the truth is that the United States simply does not have the necessary labor, resources, or materials to prepare its infrastructure for an uncertain future affected by climate change.
Business leaders are promoting AI for how it can transform the digital world. But they are only now beginning to understand its enormous impact on the physical world. AI can help us design, build, and rebuild America’s roads, bridges, factories, homes, and cities for a rapidly changing future.
Be sustainable. The construction industry is one such industry most wasteful industries are responsible almost 40% global carbon emissions.
However, it sits on a vast amount of data that can help with sustainable development. Typically, 95% of data is collected during construction not used. That includes everything from material usage and sourcing information to energy consumption figures, shipping logistics and even waste generation during construction.
AI can analyze this data and improve decision-making on material use and energy consumption, cutting project waste.
An example from our work is our collaboration with MBH Architects and FactoryOS on the Phoenix Project, an affordable housing development in West Oakland, California. We nearly halved the time, cost and carbon footprint compared to traditional housing in the San Francisco Bay Area, thanks to AI-optimized construction waste reduction.
Projects also involve a variety of models from architects, engineers, city planners, manufacturers, designers and construction workers. AI can facilitate communication in these often large-scale and complex efforts.
Data is connected helped with optimization transformation of San Diego International Airport Terminal 1, by allowing every stakeholder in a complex construction project to submit and access data on a common platform.
AI can also cut the amount of time spent designing large projects from months to minutes. By strategically incorporating this new technology into the design process, project teams can get information faster without sacrificing quality, allowing everyone to get more done in less time. and enable teams to focus on more innovative and productive activities.
Ultimately, AI can help prevent incidents like the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse from happening again. It can identify potential problems and assist designers in creating more durable and efficient structures.
But there remains a major obstacle to integrating AI into infrastructure design and construction: The slow adoption of digital technology by public infrastructure owners.
The US and other governments need to promote digital transformation in this sector, so it is important that policymakers strike the right balance between minimizing the risks of AI while still encourage its development. The new U.S. presidential administration and the incoming Congress have the opportunity to modernize infrastructure development and create a new regulatory framework for AI, infrastructure, and safety without stifling innovation. .
More complex designs require advanced technology to support it. In the short term, AI will enable companies and governments to make decisions earlier in the process. And what’s more, AI can help human designers demonstrate their ingenuity and create a better future—and could help the United States fix its infrastructure crisis before it’s too late. late.
Fortune’s Brainstorm Design conference returns on December 5 at MGM Cotai in Macau. Panelists and attendees will debate and discuss “Experimentation in Experience,” designs that blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds to engage users and foster connections long term. Register here!
