Construction Industry Needs OS Redesign Amid Low Digital Transformation Rate

|SummaryAAAA call has emerged for the construction industry built on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to become essential infrastructure — not a matter of choice — for economic development and public welfare.At the "Construction Industry Rebirth 2.0" seminar held at the Construction Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Wednesday, Choi Seok-in, head of planning and management at the Research Institute of Construction Economy (RICE), delivered a keynote presentation outlining trends in AI and robotics and envisioning the future of a construction industry built on these technologies.Choi first pointed out that the construction industry still faces structural limitations despite the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. These include low digital transformation rates, conservative technology adoption and a regulation-heavy institutional framework. He noted that the transition to smart factories has stalled and safety and quality issues in buildings have become more prominent. "We have reached a point where we must redesign the operating system of the construction industry itself, rather than simply introducing new technologies," Choi said. "Without a structural overhaul, the industry will be left behind."He also said that while division of labor has long been considered an advantage at traditional construction sites, connecting and innovating across each segment is now the new source of hope. In particular, he argued that AI and robotics will serve as key instrument...