Leverage AI for improved service delivery, FIDIC deputy president urges engineers

The Deputy President, International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Africa, George Okoroma, has urged engineers to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve quality service delivery in the construction industry and embrace other economic opportunities in the sector.

Okoroma said that AI, which is a field of science concerned with building computers and machines that can reason, learn and act in a way that would normally require human intelligence, is gaining momentum in the construction industry.

According to Okoroma, AI can analyse vast amounts of data to optimise project schedules, identify potential risks and allocate resources more effectively.

READ ALSO: National Assembly commences repeal, enactment of NIMC Act No. 23

He urged engineers to remember that engineering is not confined to structures and machines alone but a force that transforms communities, economies and lives of the people, urging them to embrace the developing trend.

Okoroma, a former President of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), made the remark at the 2nd Distinguished Annual Lecture held in his honour in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The guest lecturer at the event and former Executive Director (Projects) at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Beniah Ojum, noted that engineers in Nigeria have roles to play in developing practical solutions that will change the landscape of the country’s economic status.

According to Ojum, AI has the potential to provide a new frontier for economic opportunity as well as social development, inclusive and sustainable growth.

Delivering the lecture titled: “Engineering A Resilient Future: The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence In Construction Management And The Future of Engineering In Nigeria,” Ojum observed that AI adoption in Nigeria is still in its infancy despite the growing number of startups and established businesses using AI solutions to deliver customer services.

He said: “The big question that keeps coming up is; Will AI replace human intelligence? AI will not replace biological human intelligence but it will enhance our lives.

“The field of AI is poised to transform the way we live, work, socialise, seek a date, and even how we regard our place in the universe. It has impacted our social lives, private and public entities permanently.

“Sustainability must be at the forefront of our efforts, and through the lens of engineering, we have the capability to establish systems, technologies and infrastructure that minimise environmental impact, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance the well-being of our communities.

“AI has been progressively making its mark across various industries, revolutionising traditional practices and introducing innovative solutions. In the realm of Construction Management, AI is proving to be a game-changer, offering a wide array of benefits that enhance project efficiency, productivity, and overall success.

“By leveraging AI algorithms, construction managers can analyse vast amounts of data to optimise project schedules, identify potential risks, and allocate resources more effectively.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Omoku Branch, Sunny Orike, described Okoroma as a “symbol of modern civil engineering in Nigeria.”

He added that Okoroma has distinguished himself as a professional, philanthropic leader and has brought so much pride to Ogba Ethnic Nationality, ONELGA, Rivers State, and the nation at large.