Artificial intelligence delivers £14bn a year in new revenue to UK infrastructure, according to new data from SenSat, as 90% believe AI will transform the industry
The findings – from an independent survey data of 404 decision-makers in UK infrastructure and large-scale businesses in the architecture, engineering and construction sector – also show the vast majority (90%) believe AI will transform their industry.
Interestingly, a massive 95% believe digitisation already makes their business more efficient.
Worryingly for digital laggards, the respondents also believe four in ten construction firms who don’t embrace digitisation risk going out of business within ten years.
The research also shows confidence in British tech, as 40% of respondents believe UK infrastructure is leading the way in AI. 48% believe the UK is a follower, and just 12% say it’s a laggard.
The data provides insight into where the main thrust of digital innovation is going to come from – as there is a real skills gap when it comes to digital twin technology.
99% said digital twins – or, or digital representations of real world locations – will be important in the future. But only 44% use them now.
Mike Sort, chief scientific advisor of the Department for International Trade, said: “It’s encouraging to see that the UK is not just leading in Artificial Intelligence research – but also increasingly in the digitisation of infrastructure by training AI on real world data.
“By speaking to those working at the forefront of infrastructure delivery, SenSat have provided valuable insight into the way our construction methods are evolving – and proved the scale of opportunity in this vitally important industry.”
James Dean, SenSat CEO, added: “Around the world, well-functioning, modern Infrastructure is central to economic development and quality of life. And yet, the way we plan and deliver Infrastructure is antiquated in context of the automation and transparency that has transformed online industries.
“Our mission is to build the third platform, an intelligent eco-system that translates the real world into a version understandable to AI. This technology will help us to build a more sustainable future, using the wealth of new insight to help people make better decisions.
“We’re already seeing the kind of changes AI and digitisation can make. We’re most proud of the impact we’re seeing to our clients businesses, and the effect our technology makes on their ability to deliver critical infrastructure in a more sustainable way.”
