Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing institutional and commercial facilities in some very fundamental ways, but the exact nature of some of the those changes are not yet apparent. As engineering and maintenance managers continue grappling with AI’s impact, another group of workers in facilities also are trying to figure out how the technology is going to affect them..
Skilled trade workers have mixed feelings about AI adoption within the industry, according to a recently released survey collected from over 170 industry professionals by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The survey collected responses from workers in facility maintenance, electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect, design and fire service.
Twenty-five percent of respondents believe AI should be used to help skilled trade workers streamline tasks. Nineteen percent of respondents say either they or their organizations have begun experimenting with AI-powered solutions to simplify tasks. Also, 31 percent of respondents say they believe AI can spur industry growth by making the trades more attractive to younger workers.
On the other hand, 47 percent of respondents say they are not using AI in their daily work and are skeptical of it. Also, only 8 percent of respondents say they believe AI implementation won’t benefit the fire and life safe industry.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
