About this programme
In the next few years, the New Zealand construction sector will see increased adoption of technologies. One particular area where we are likely to see high impact is on digital consenting systems, which will become more reliant on processing large amounts of data. Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a potential tool to enhance digital consenting systems, assisting with processing and automating parts of the process that currently require manual checks of vast amounts of documentation. BRANZ is undertaking a research project to identify where AI could be used by building control officers (BCOs) to create efficiencies in the consenting process. So far, the research suggests many of the issues BCOs experience are related to missing documentation or inaccurate information, triggering requests for information. more In interviews, BCOs across the country envisioned three ways AI could help alleviate these issues:
• Assisting with pre-submission checks, beyond the presence of documentation, to verify the completeness and accuracy of information provided.
• Understanding specifications and supporting evidence.
• Assisting with written communication during RFI processes.
The next steps for this project are to collect more possible AI use cases from BCOs; and talk to consent submitters to get their perspectives on the consent process and potential AI applications. Then the project will consider which of the use cases are feasible to trial and implement with building consent authorities. As well as working with BCOs, the research team is working with industry partners and stakeholders, including universities, councils, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
• Assisting with pre-submission checks, beyond the presence of documentation, to verify the completeness and accuracy of information provided.
• Understanding specifications and supporting evidence.
• Assisting with written communication during RFI processes.
The next steps for this project are to collect more possible AI use cases from BCOs; and talk to consent submitters to get their perspectives on the consent process and potential AI applications. Then the project will consider which of the use cases are feasible to trial and implement with building consent authorities. As well as working with BCOs, the research team is working with industry partners and stakeholders, including universities, councils, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.