AI in the construction sector: Bulgarian companies are already using it in their work

Experts and analysts in the construction sector have repeatedly predicted that artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in this industry in the coming years. In what way could AI change the Bulgarian construction sector? And will it lead to a revolution there? We sought answers to these questions from Georgi Shopov, chairman of the National Association of Construction Entrepreneurs (NASP).

According to him, artificial intelligence is the same as “working with a database."

In construction, artificial intelligence has a place in the selection of materials and elements. That is, being able to precisely filter the best offer on the market. The other aspect in which artificial intelligence can be used is when a company has a large database of customers," says Shopov.

And although he is of the opinion that AI algorithms are unlikely to lead to a revolution in the construction sector, he still believes that by freeing an employee from administrative tasks, he will have time for more analysis and revolutionary discoveries.

If we could figure out how to replace concrete, which is quite expensive to produce, that would lead to a real revolution in our sector. Indirectly, by freeing people's minds from technical things, AI use could lead to the invention of a material that is more ecological and environmentally friendly than concrete," Shopov added.

Bulgarian company practices

It turns out that construction companies in Bulgaria are already actively using new technologies.

An example of such a company is Castello Precast OOD, which is one of the largest companies in the industrial construction sector in Bulgaria.

The new AI tools the company is using are transforming the way it plans, designs and executes its projects.

We believe that the implementation of AI is the future of construction. It is a key driver of the transformation that will set the standards for industrial construction in the coming decades," said the company's management team.

AI algorithms analyze the specifics of a given project, offer the most effective engineering and functional solutions, and optimize the overall design. With the help of artificial intelligence, automated monitoring will be provided, which contributes to high efficiency and control over potential risks, and hence - to their timely management.

Castello Precast OOD implements turnkey projects with prefabricated reinforced concrete structures, which the company produces in its own factory near Sofia.

Algorithms are also used in the residential construction sector in Bulgaria, according to Petar Sotirov, Commercial Director of VM Invest. He explained that artificial intelligence is already almost completely employed in the design of buildings.

Almost every professional specialist responsible for a building uses artificial intelligence. At our company, all architects and engineers work this way," says Sotirov.

According to him, the most effective AI algorithms are those used to calculate energy efficiency, brick thickness, and window selection. He added that artificial intelligence can also play a decisive role in determining the final price of apartments.

When choosing materials, everything must be precisely specified. This saves costs, which in turn could affect the price for the end buyer," says Petar Sotirov.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov