Potential applications of Natural Language Processing (NLP) in the construction industry
Abstract
The construction industry is undeniably a complex and fragmented sector, facing numerous challenges, including regular cost and schedule overruns in the majority of construction projects, as well as unsatisfactory quality management. In addition, the sector is lagging behind in terms of digitization. More specifically, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector is one of the least digitized compared to other industries, mainly due to the complexity of projects involving multiple stakeholders resistant to digitization. On the other hand, huge amounts of textual data are generated in a typical construction project. This data is often spread across various formats such as contracts, progress reports and e-mails, making it difficult for all project stakeholders to analyze, archive and retrieve information. Therefore, the implementation of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) solution, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), offers a way for construction professionals to overcome the challenges posed by this regularly generated massive data. The main aim of this research project is to explore and categorize the potential applications of NLP (Natural Language Processing) in the construction industry for processing and analyzing textual data to obtain construction-related information. Despite the immense potential of NLP, its applications in the construction sector remain relatively unexplored compared to other industries. To achieve these objectives, a well-defined methodology was established, involving semi-structured interviews with construction professionals in various roles related to the design, construction and management of construction projects in Canada, in order to understand their needs, expectations and perceptions regarding the use of NLP in this field. During the interviews, an NLP questionnaire was asked to identify their potential NLP applications, and the benefits and challenges of each NLP sub-domain. Based on the results of the analysis, recommendations will be made for the adoption of these technologies in the construction industry. The recommendations will take into account the needs and expectations of the parties involved in the project, as well as the benefits and challenges of using NLP in this field.
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