Focus on how technology disrupts an industry, experts say

It is becoming increasingly important for construction companies across the Middle East region to focus on new technologies and how they will ultimately end up disrupting their operations, experts at the Construction Technology Forum 2018 said.
Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) will all play a crucial role in the region's construction industry in the coming years, forcing many companies to re-evaluate their investments, as well as their employee numbers.
Speaking in a panel session, Jorge Manuel Miranda Dias, professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, noted that when it comes to the construction industry, companies can expect a lot more automation to make its way on the scene in the near future.
"You can already see a lot more robots helping the workers in different processes," he said. "The future will only see the introduction of more machines to help human workers. This is something that everyone in the industry has to prepare for. New robots, that are specifically designed and created to perform monotonous tasks, are entering the workforce everyday, especially in markets such as Japan."
Technology, he added, is evolving at an accelerated rate, and companies in the region need to think about the disruption that this will create across various industries. "There are several reasons why robots will be designed to enter the workforce. They can complete boring and repetitive tasks in a shorter time frame; they are much more precise; and they can work 24/7 on the job."
"A lot of the technologies that are available today are part of a smart system," added Salem Haggag, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the American University of Dubai. "The construction industry will be no different in this regard, and you will see a lot of smart technologies being incorporated. To prepare for the future, you will need specialist employees that can understand and monitor the machines and systems that will be created."
Emma Seymour, vice president of Work Welfare - Real Estate & Delivery, Expo2020, also stressed that there are several new technologies that are available in the market right now and companies need to see how they can incorporate them into their workflows. She also explained that there is a skills gap that is in danger of widening unless organisations take action.
"To be successful in the market, companies have to be ready to embrace change," she said. "The skills gap is there because organisations haven't gown fast enough and taken their employees with them on a journey of growth. Offer training sessions on the latest technologies, and provide qualifications for your employees free of charge to fill high-level needs."
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com