The International Council for Research & Innovation in Building & Construction (CIB) has announced an international collaboration for an interdisciplinary summer school on AI for Construction & Project Management through its Vistas funding programme.
Italy’s Politecnico di Milano plans to establish the school, in partnership with the University of Florida and Istituto Superior Tecnico Lisboa in Portugal.
CIB said the initiative recognises a strong interest in acquiring specialised knowledge on AI at a problem-oriented level in the sector, and seeks to fill educational gaps identified in academic and professional communities.
The summer school will focus on practical AI applications for automating and optimising project management processes during the design and construction phases, covering areas like risk management, schedule planning and safety management.
It aims to equip early-career researchers, students, and practitioners with comprehensive skills essential for navigating the sector’s digital transformation, addressing theoretical and practical aspects of AI, alongside its application’s ethical and legal considerations, to contribute to sustainability and innovation in the industry in line with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
A more efficient and sustainable industry
The initiative will be led by Ania Khodabakhshian, who recently graduated with her PhD in architecture, built environment and construction engineering at Politecnico di Milano University with honours.
She said: “As visionary researchers, it is our calling to impart the knowledge we have acquired through diligent research back to our community, aiming to cultivate a more efficient and sustainable industry. I am both honoured and delighted that, thanks to the CIB Vistas fund, our vision and aspirations are set to become reality.”
Joining Khodabakhshian on the research team are: Andrea Giovanni Mainini, Ana Filipa Ferreira da Silva, Fulvio Re Cecconi and Chinemelu J Anumba.
The €10,000 CIB Vistas Fund Programme 2024 supports visionary research and thought leadership in the built environment.
