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Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses in the Digital Age
Mr. Chawalit Chantararat, Chief Executive Officer,
The fields of engineering, architecture, and construction have seen continuous technological advancements since the Industrial Revolution (circa 1900). In the past decade, these developments have accelerated at a remarkable rate, driven by rapid improvements in computing power, including storage capacity, memory, and processing speed. Additionally, advancements in sensor technology and wireless telecommunications have significantly transformed the industry, evolving faster than ever before.
Executives, architects, and engineers must be aware of these changes, adjust their mindset, and develop a high level of flexibility. They need to adapt swiftly to align with technological advancements and innovations, especially disruptive technologies, which are rapidly and significantly reshaping business operations and human behavior.
Following the use of Slide Rules and Programmable Calculators, engineering analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM) has become significantly more convenient and efficient. This advancement was made possible by the development of desktop computers, which began to match the capabilities of micro and mainframe computers from earlier generations. Over the past decade, we have increasingly relied on various modeling techniques to analyze and compare multiple engineering scenarios. This capability allows us to arrive at well-considered, precise, and cost-effective solutions. Going back to line-by-line calculations with VisiCalc or Excel is no longer practical, not because we work less hard but because our tasks have become much more detailed than they were ten years ago. Now, we use powerful notebook computers that are even more advanced than the old mainframe computers.
Quantum Computing and Block Chain Technology will transform how massive amounts of data are stored and processed, allowing for highly accurate analysis while ensuring strong data security. When AI learns from this vast data along with decades of accumulated human knowledge and complex computational methods, it can perform advanced analyses and calculations at least 50 times faster than humans, according to the US National Science Foundation and Johns Hopkins University (Jan 2025). In the next 10 years, as AI develops into Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), as referenced by the CEO of SoftBank, it is expected to process text, numbers, case studies, reports, and visual content 10,000 times faster than humans. Unlike people, AI does not take breaks, sleep, or get sick, with its only limitation being a power outage.
A simulated analysis of force, heat, and deformation using the AI model Dimon, which simplifies complex engineering calculations. Dimon was created by AI that has learned from thousands of engineering cases, allowing it to identify patterns and develop its own analytical models. This enables fast and highly accurate problem-solving (Mingling Yin, Johns Hopkins University, 2024).
Leaders of companies in the construction industry, including engineering consulting firms, architectural firms, and construction contractors, are well aware that failing to develop their organizations and personnel with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI into their work will inevitably leave their companies behind.
Executives must have a clear vision and set a strategic plan for technology transformation by allocating sufficient resources, including funding, personnel, time, and technology. This includes hardware, software, models, and AI models to support development effectively. A dedicated core unit should be established to oversee the adoption and implementation of digital technology and ensure the timely transition to new technologies. This will enhance efficiency in design, analysis, calculations, drafting, reporting, and construction management, leading to lower overall costs, faster operations, and consistently high accuracy and quality. It is essential to maintain a database and knowledge base for future generations and AI to learn from and continue developing sustainably.
Organizations should provide ongoing training and workshops to share knowledge and experiences with employees. This will help them re-skill and up-skill to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology. Employees should be encouraged to integrate new technologies and AI into their work across various projects, making them a core part of daily operations. Those who continuously develop their skills should be recognized and rewarded with advancements in their technology competency level, along with appropriate salary and compensation adjustments.
A key consideration is ensuring the security of data and knowledge by carefully managing access levels based on their importance. Sensitive information should be protected from leaks and made accessible only to senior employees. To enhance security, AI should learn through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to filter and control data exposure. Additionally, organizations should establish clear AI usage policies, with the IT department responsible for setting guidelines, monitoring, and enforcing strict controls.