Professors Won ASCE Award for AI Construction Tool
Construction project leads can use this new AI role-assignment technology to speed up decision-making and reduce site delays.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Remote Work
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Three researchers received the Best Paper Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for developing an AI tool that automates project role assignments. The technology, featured in the Journal of Management in Engineering, aims to streamline operations on construction sites.
Why it matters
By automating the classification of contract requirements and mapping tasks digitally, the tool targets operational bottlenecks that traditionally cause project delays. This innovation offers firms a mechanism to accelerate site-level decision-making.
The American Society of Civil Engineers selected three professors for the annual award. The total number of competing entries considered for the honor was not disclosed.
The players
American Society of Civil Engineers
A professional body that provides technical standards and research recognition for the global civil engineering industry.
Ko Tae-woo
An academic researcher recognized for advancing construction management technology.
Lee Jee-hee
An academic researcher and co-recipient of the professional paper award.
H. David Jeong
An academic researcher focused on improving engineering management systems.
The details
The winning researchers created an algorithm that utilizes an AI language model to analyze and classify complex construction contract requirements. This system feeds into an interactive digital map that automatically assigns specific project roles, replacing manual scheduling processes. The integration is designed to reduce the time spent on administrative coordination and mitigate potential project delays.
Timeline
August 2026: Kookmin University established a Graduate School of Architecture.
September 28, 2026: The American Society of Civil Engineers held the award ceremony at Rice University.
Market Landscape
This development follows the industry trend of integrating AI-based contract requirement classification systems into traditional construction workflows. The research marks a shift toward replacing manual project management tasks with automated, data-driven role assignment tools.
Construction operators should evaluate current manual role-assignment processes for potential automation opportunities. Reviewing the findings in the Journal of Management in Engineering can help determine if similar AI tools could mitigate current scheduling delays in your firm.
The takeaway
Automated role assignment offers a clear path to reducing site-level administrative overhead and improving project speed. Operators should monitor the Journal of Management in Engineering for subsequent implementation studies that detail the real-world performance of this AI model.
Further reading
For more on the technologies changing how teams coordinate, see our coverage of Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Korea Times.
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