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CAREERTIP: Construction Professionals should start treating AI like a new colleague

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Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t going away and construction professionals need to embrace it and start working with it as if it were a new colleague. Across all industries, including construction, the adoption of AI is rapidly gaining momentum. This is because technology has finally advanced to the point where it can handle the complex and unstructured data involved in construction projects. Experts predict that AI will continue to develop into what they call "composite AI." Construction professionals, however, have some concerns about adopting AI. These concerns include: Regulatory Framework: Construction professionals must ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. They must also protect themselves, as AI can be programmed with specific guidelines to produce desired outputs. Ethics : There are important legal and ethical issues to consider when using AI. For example, who is liable if something goes wrong? Who is responsible if a disaster occurs as
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PROFILE: This is my story - Jaco Venter

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Professional Construction Manager (PrCM) Jaco Venter tells us about a project that taught him the value of proper planning.



The project that had the most significant impact on my career was the EN4 upgrade between Matola and Maputo in Mozambique, where I served as Construction Manager. This project stands out to me because it was the most formative experience in my career, providing me with the opportunity to develop my skills and work with an outstanding senior manager and fellow employees.

The project's location across the border taught me the importance of proper planning, as certain items would take a long time to be delivered. I also learned valuable negotiation skills from my Senior Construction Manager, who negotiated with other company sites to obtain key construction equipment and personnel to ensure the success of our project.

I had no regrets about this project because I treated all mistakes as learning experiences and opportunities to grow. Everything about this project was fulfilling, from the experience I gained, the working environment, my fellow employees, and the people I met and became friends with. This project is the foundation that grew my love and passion for this industry which has enabled me to have a sustained career in this challenging industry and has also allowed me to build a strong character.

Challenges facing SA construction industry

In my opinion, the biggest challenge facing the construction industry in South Africa currently is corruption and the "construction mafia," who are only interested in enriching themselves and not allowing the country to move forward with infrastructure development and economic growth. This is also resulting in a mass exodus of many highly skilled engineers, construction managers, and project managers to other countries.


Jaco Venter has been involved in the construction industry since 2011. He began practical training for his National Diploma in that year and has had the privilege of working his way up from a junior site agent at a construction company to a project manager at a consultancy firm.

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