Let’s face it—when people hear “Artificial Intelligence” (AI), they often think of GPT-generated college essays, chatbots, or self-driving cars. Or it’s seen as a way to replace people with robots or automate manual processes. Here’s the thing: AI in construction isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing them up, showing up in ways that are much more practical and way more valuable. It’s helping crews save time, reduce paperwork, keep people safe, and gain clearer visibility into what's happening on job sites.
You can find it in everyday tools that eliminate manual work, enhance job site visibility, and keep projects moving. Think: auto-generated daily logs, field data capture, or construction workflows built from a simple sentence.
Best of all? You don’t need a tech degree to use it. You just need the right tools.
Whether you’re a specialty contractor managing dozens of jobs or an IT leader supporting construction ops, this blog is for you. We’ll walk through what AI in construction actually looks like—and how Quickbase, a leading AI-powered operations platform, is helping teams take advantage of it.
Why AI Matters in Construction Right Now
Complexity has always been a feature, not a bug, in the construction industry. But recent years seem to have created a perfect storm: labor shortages, rising costs, supply chain delays, and more regulations. Add disconnected systems, scattered data, and mountains of manual tasks, and it’s no wonder projects fall behind.
Quickbase’s latest Gray Work research uncovered some eye-opening stats in the industry:
- 42% of teams say their data is spread across disconnected systems
- 35% are buried under repetitive manual tasks
- 59% lose more than 11 hours a week just chasing down info
- 73% struggle to share constructionproject data because of too many tools
Adding to this, McKinsey reports that 80% of large projects go over budget and take 20% longer to complete than scheduled.
That’s where AI steps in. It turns disconnected data into insights—automating tasks, flagging risks early, and helping teams make smarter decisions faster, getting projects back on track.
As Aarni Heiskanen, a Finnish construction innovation agent, explains: "Contractors [are] using generative AI to quickly get a picture of a project’s status based on various sources of information: meeting minutes, inspection documents, progress photos, sensor data from the job site, scheduling updates, and even real-time feedback from workers."
How AI Is Being Used Today on Real Jobsites
AI in construction isn’t just one application. In fact, it’s already being used in several different ways across the industry:
- Image recognition for safety inspections: AI trained to scan jobsite photos or camera footage to detect missing PPE or unsafe conditions in real time.
- Drone mapping and site analysis: Drones paired with AI help teams create accurate 3D models, track progress, and flag deviations.
- Predictive scheduling and forecasting: AI models capable of predicting delays based on weather, supply chain data, or workforce availability, giving teams time to adjust.
- Natural language processing: AI tools that analyze meeting transcripts, RFIs, or inspection reports to extract key insights.
- Field data capture and classification: Take a photo of a delivery slip or timecard, and AI can turn that image into usable project data.
Some of these solutions are still evolving, but the value is already there, which means faster decisions, fewer mistakes, and better use of your team’s time.
Where Quickbase Fits: Practical AI for Construction Operations
Once you understand what AI can do, the next step is figuring out how to apply it. Quickbase, an AI-powered operations platform, gives construction teams accessible tools to put AI into practice.
Here’s how Quickbase applies AI to solve everyday construction challenges:
Fastfield OCR: Capture jobsite data with a snapshot
Field teams can snap a photo of a form, timecard, or delivery receipt, and Quickbase uses built-in OCR (optical character recognition) to extract the data instantly. That means no more typing things up later or chasing paper trails.
Auto-generated daily logs
Daily logs are a must, but they take time. Quickbase uses jobsite inputs—like hours worked, weather, and progress updates—to automatically draft the day’s report. All the supervisor needs to do is review and hit submit.
Smart Builder: Build Apps Just by Typing What You Need
Need to create a workflow for inspections or subcontractor approvals? Just type a prompt in plain English—something like “Track confined space permits and send reminders 24 hours before they expire”—and Quickbase’s Smart Builder sets it up for you. No code. No waiting for IT.
Real-World Impact: Skender’s Experience with Smart Builder
Skender, a construction firm known for embracing innovation, was among the early adopters of Quickbase’s Smart Builder. Their goal? Empower teams to build faster, test new ideas, and streamline processes without coding.
Clay Edwards, Senior VP at Skender, shared a moment that captured the potential of Smart Builder in action:
“We just started with [Quickbase’s] AI builder… I said, ‘I want to do this, this, and this—kind of like construction software,’ and it popped something out. My builder thought I made it myself. That app’s built off the basis of your AI tool.”
That single interaction sparked not just a working prototype, but a wave of new ideas. It became a conversation starter, a proof of concept, and a sign of how AI can remove friction from the app-building process. For Skender, Smart Builder is more than a tool—it’s a launchpad for practical innovation on the jobsite.
Why This Matters for Specialty Contractors and Mid-Sized Firms
Larger general contractors may have the luxury of digital transformation teams and dedicated tech budgets. But for specialty contractors, efficiency isn’t just a goal—it’s survival.
These firms often juggle multiple concurrent jobs with lean teams, short timelines, and increasing compliance requirements. In this context, AI becomes more than a competitive advantage—it’s a critical enabler.
AI in construction project management helps specialty contractors:
- Eliminate repetitive admin work that eats into productivity
- Improve documentation and reporting consistency
- Empower field leads to act faster with tools built for real-time responsiveness
Instead of chasing paperwork or battling fragmented systems, these teams can spend more time executing—and less time catching up.
AI doesn’t replace skilled labor. It gives crews and leaders the clarity, speed, and control they need to meet today’s demands without burnout.
Where to Begin: Small Steps, Big Wins
If AI sounds intimidating, start small. For instance, Quickbase can help you automate your daily logs. Or you can use OCR to cut down on paperwork. Try creating an app from a single workflow in Smart Builder. Once you see it in action, the benefits become obvious.
The goal isn’t to overhaul your systems overnight—it’s to make your teams more agile, more informed, and more efficient, one step at a time.
Final Thought: AI Is Construction’s Next Big Lever
AI is no longer a future concept—it’s a present-day advantage. For construction teams ready to work smarter, faster, and with less risk, the time is now to start your AI journey. Platforms like Quickbase are leading the way in AI for construction, especially for specialty contractors who need agile, customizable, and powerful tools that don’t slow them down.
Ready to see how AI fits into your operation? Start by exploring Quickbase AI capabilities—you might be surprised how easy it is to get started.
