Alberta's AI Opportunity Takes Center Stage at UpperBound
Edmonton could be the most well-placed city in the nation to capitalize on the expansion of AI's uses in construction.
"If you're a business professional or a technologist, or somewhere in between, you should concentrate on an area that offers expansion and possibilities. This is the one," he stated. RoBIM Technologies Inc. CEO and co-founder Bruce Alton.
Edmonton and Alberta offer the perfect setting for this. Here we have the chance to become world pioneers in fields such as construction, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
On Wednesday afternoon, during the Upper Bound AI conference where attendees were predominantly wearing headphones, Alton spoke to a crowd about how Alberta, particularly Edmonton, is well-positioned to take advantage of the increasing need for artificial intelligence and robotics in construction. Highlighting the stagnant productivity within the sector, he contended that combining the ancient and most extensive industry globally—construction—with one of today’s fastest-growing sectors—artificial intelligence—is crucial for its future success. — particularly as the nation aims to address the shortfall in the housing crisis.
"As it happens, we're at a pivotal moment. We're observing several developments in (RoBIM's) sector as well as with various other construction firms," Alton stated.
RoBIM is a technology firm based in Edmonton that provides " "comprehensive robotic manufacturing solutions tailored for both residential and commercial building sectors," which provided Alton with valuable insights into the demands and potential within this field. According to information from McKinsey & Company, he noted that compared to industries such as agriculture, the construction sector's efficiency levels have remained relatively unchanged over recent decades.
"Productivity growth has remained stagnant over the past 75 years. This is absurd. Moreover, when examining the last four decades, specifically since 1980, it appears to have declined. Therefore, our efficiency in construction has worsened significantly over an extended period," stated Alton.
Alton contended that the absence of automation and robotics significantly contributed to the sluggish productivity in the sector, stating There are six distinct sectors where artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance the industry. — Design and planning; cost estimation and timeline management; operational effectiveness; oversight and examination; education and security measures; along with integration of robotics and automation.
This is precisely what RoBIM concentrates on: developing robots designed to aid in prefabricated construction, with plans for a complete commercial release scheduled for next year.
He mentioned that one of the key factors behind the company’s achievements, as well as his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs present, revolves around keeping three crucial aspects at the forefront: a large market facing significant challenges, groundbreaking technology, and deep knowledge within the specific field. According to Alton, these components attract startup funding, investments, and research grants.
For RoBIM, the target markets were Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada, with the primary issue being sluggish productivity within the construction sector. The groundbreaking solution involved implementing robotics to mechanize aspects of construction work. This approach leveraged significant local knowledge and expertise, drawing upon numerous artificial intelligence specialists like those at AMII and the University of Alberta, along with leading construction firms including Stantec, Ellis Don, and PCL.
As the newly elected Liberal administration faces a daunting housing crisis, Alton emphasized that this challenge represents both a significant hurdle and an extensive marketplace ripe with potential solutions. This situation offers a substantial opening for emerging business leaders. Given the identical local talent pool consisting of AI specialists and builders akin to those at RoBIM, he noted that the moment is "ideal."
"I wanted to emphasize this point because I genuinely believe that, as of 2025, this presents a truly distinct chance to be part of this field," stated Alton.
I'd like to end with a challenge for you: 'What steps will you take to get involved? How do you plan to make an impact in this area as a whole?'
zdelaney@postmedia.com
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