AI: The Missing Link for MMC
In February, the UK Government launched an AI strategy that aims to tap into the potential of artificial intelligence to boost economic growth and productivity. While there has been little in the way of updates since then, there was no mention of construction – a sector that contributes more than £110 billion a year to the UK economy, employing nearly three million people.
Sir Keir Starmer might want to turn the UK into an AI superpower, but his plan threatens to undermine his own government’s house building targets.
Modern methods of construction (MMC) – like modular building, prefabrication, and 3D printing – are the epitome of innovative growth. Powered by AI, MMC offers a faster, cheaper and greener solution that can meet demand without compromising quality. Turning a blind eye to the opportunities it could bring to the UK’s AI roadmap is a glaring oversight – particularly given Labour’s ambitious housing targets to “get Britain building again”.
Achieving 1.5 million new homes needs more than just traditional construction methods. AI could boost productivity in construction by up to 20% (McKinsey & Company), while MMC could cut project timelines in half. Together, they could significantly reduce costs for major public projects like schools, hospitals, and housing, while simultaneously cutting waste and improving energy efficiency.
But for MMC to truly take off, workers need new skills in areas like AI-powered design, robotics, and data analytics. The construction skills gap remains a major issue, worsened by Brexit and an aging workforce. Over the past five years, our mission at HCI Skills Gateway has been to find new ways of growing and diversifying the construction workforce to overcome this challenge. While AI can transform MMC, from predictive maintenance and automated machinery to smart building systems, the potential will remain untapped without a workforce trained to use these technologies.
In Scotland, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) has already been championing MMC and helping companies embrace digital transformation. This heightened focus on sustainable building practices is a great model for how the rest of the UK can integrate modern technologies into construction.
These Scottish initiatives show how collaboration between industry and academia can deliver real results. If the UK wants to keep up with global competitors, it needs to invest more in targeted construction skills training now. That could mean funding MMC apprenticeships, encouraging partnerships between tech companies and construction firms, or incentivising universities to offer courses that combine AI and construction.
Additionally, if AI-powered MMC is to work on a national scale, a dedicated fund for SMEs in construction is vital to helping them adopt new technologies and train staff.
Bringing modern methods of construction into the UK’s AI policy isn’t just about economics – it’s about solving real-world problems. From the housing crisis to the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure, it can provide innovative solutions and position our country as a global leader.
With the right investments in AI and a willingness to learn from Scotland’s successes, the UK can build a smarter, greener, and more prosperous future. The opportunity is there for the taking, but the Labour Government needs to act now.
By Kirsty Connell-Skinner,
Sustainable Construction Partnerships Manager at Housing, Construction & Infrastructure (HCI)
Skills Gateway at Edinburgh Napier University
Source: The Herald
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