Revolutionizing the construction industry by cutting edge artificial intelligence approaches: a review

The construction industry is rapidly adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, creating new opportunities to address persistent environmental and operational challenges. This review focuses on how Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) are being leveraged to tackle these issues. It specifically explores AI’s role in predicting air pollution, improving material quality, monitoring worker health and safety, and enhancing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) for construction. This study evaluates various AI and ML models, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Support Vector Machines SVMs, as well as optimization techniques like whale and moth flame optimization. These tools are assessed for their ability to predict air pollutant levels, improve concrete quality, and monitor worker safety in real time. Research papers were also reviewed to understand AI’s application in predicting the compressive strength of materials like cement mortar, fly ash, and stabilized clay soil. The performance of these models is measured using metrics such as coefficient of determination ( R 2 ), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). Furthermore, AI has shown promise in predicting and reducing emissions of air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, NO 2 , CO, SO 2 , and O 3 . In addition, it improves construction material quality and ensures worker safety by monitoring health indicators like standing postures, electrocardiogram, and galvanic skin response. It is also concluded that AI technologies, including Explainable AI and Petri Nets, are also making advancements in CPS for the construction industry. The models’ performance metrics indicate they are well-suited for real-time construction operations. The study highlights the adaptability and effectiveness of these technologies in meeting current and future construction needs. However, gaps remain in certain areas of research, such as broader AI integration across diverse construction environments and the need for further validation of models in real-world applications. Finally, this research underscores the potential of AI and ML to revolutionize the construction industry by promoting sustainable practices, improving operational efficiency, and addressing safety concerns. It also provides a roadmap for future research, offering valuable insights for industry stakeholders interested in adopting AI technologies.