As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries worldwide, the construction sector is increasingly integrating AI-driven solutions to enhance workforce training and solve operational challenges. Leading builders Granite Construction and Skanska are showcasing proprietary AI platforms designed to improve safety and skill development on job sites.

Granite Construction, based in Watsonville, California, has developed Asphalt Guru, an AI-powered learning platform tailored specifically for its asphalt paving teams. Meanwhile, Swedish construction giant Skanska has introduced Safety Sidekick, an AI assistant aimed at improving site safety by providing easy access to critical safety resources.

This movement reflects a broader industry trend where contractors strive to embed AI into their daily workflows to gain competitive advantages. Since AI technologies gained traction just over two years ago, construction firms have focused on leveraging these innovations to boost productivity, reduce risk, and enhance employee expertise.

Granite’s Asphalt Guru combines over 900 pages of interview transcripts, thousands of internal documents, and external regulatory information—including OSHA injury data and Department of Transportation standards—to create a comprehensive training tool. According to Granite, more than 400 employees have already engaged with the platform, which has answered over 1,000 job-related questions.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for a tool that preserves the expertise of our paving professionals,” said Daniel Mekis, Granite CI project manager. The platform has been integrated into Granite’s Asphalt Basics E-Learning program and is accessible via mobile devices, enabling field crews to access expertise on demand.

On the safety front, Skanska’s Safety Sidekick consolidates the company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manual, OSHA construction standards, and other safety documentation into a single, user-friendly app available on mobile and desktop devices. A broader version, known simply as Sidekick, has been operational since December 2023, with Safety Sidekick focusing specifically on job site safety protocols.

“These tools empower our people to turn data – including our enterprise knowledge – into actionable insights that better support our project teams and deliver more value to our customers,” said Anita Nelson, chief strategy officer at Skanska USA Building.

Both companies emphasize that AI is not replacing human expertise but enhancing it, providing workers with instant access to knowledge that improves decision-making and safety outcomes. As AI adoption grows, contractors anticipate these technologies will drive safer, more efficient project delivery and offer a crucial edge in an increasingly competitive market.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.