As the UK Government’s deadline for the digital transformation looms, industries across the board are diversifying strategies, internal and external approaches and implementation of services to ensure cutting edge digital technology is embedded to drive business efficiencies and meet new industry standards. Rapid change and adoption of digitisation is paramount
The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) is working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop an AI-powered tool to help electromechanical repair specialists ensure they repair hazardous area motors to the correct standard. The tool, which
Brigade Electronics has launched Radar Predict – its latest innovative side Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) collision prediction safety technology specifically designed to protect cyclists from incidents with HGVs. Even before its launch, this product was already receiving positive feedback during customer trials and has earned expert recognition, being honoured
Despite the significant rise in the profile of artificial intelligence (AI), the UK’s Construction SMEs are largely undecided about the impact it will have on their business, sector and jobs. The findings are taken from the latest independent research* from Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing. Nearly six in 10
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has upgraded its student accommodation alarm systems via the implementation of IoT connected smart home sensors from Aico. The university offers guaranteed accommodation, to all students during their first year. Following the most recent British Standard revision for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance
Leading property management company, Rendall & Rittner, is proud to announce that an impressive 20,000 of its residents have signed up for its e-communications platform. This achievement reflects Rendall & Rittner’s firm commitment to creating sustainable communities for people to live, work and play in. Having initially been recognised for
Although Artificial Intelligence, Regulation and Access to Capital are the main subjects of the international meeting, sustainability plays a leading role in the production of stands, particularly the one produced by Feeders, which is striving to be more and more eco-friendly The Web Summit technology event is already underway in
AtkinsRéalis has won Learning Places Scotland’s prestigious ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award for the fourth time in five years. The global design, engineering and project management company picked up on the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award and the ‘Project of the Year’ prize at the annual event hosted on Tuesday [14
With storm season in full force, SP Energy Networks is investigating the potential of using artificial intelligence to help predict faults in the electricity network ahead of severe weather hitting In a UK first, SP Energy Networks is trialling AI technology to better pinpoint potential faults on the electricity network
By John Gorse, Public and Government Affairs Lead, Signify UKI Connected lighting can help AI make smart cities greener The world has become increasingly urbanised. The UN reports that since 2007 more than half the world’s population has been living in cities. That number is projected to rise to 60% by 2030.
As the UK Government’s deadline for the digital transformation looms, industries across the board are diversifying strategies, internal and external approaches and implementation of services to ensure cutting edge digital technology is embedded to drive business efficiencies and meet new industry standards. Rapid change and adoption of digitisation is paramount in the construction industry to position the UK market alongside construction markets globally and general business infrastructure worldwide. Richard Clement, Deputy General Manager at Smart Construction, offers his thoughts on the biggest digital and technological trends in construction for 2024. The rise of Smart Technology – why 2024 is the year to implement change Richard says: “Businesses across multiple sectors have been implementing smart tech at a rapid pace – but construction has historically fallen behind, meaning that 2024 is the year to take the bull by the horns and invest in smart technology. “We are now seeing businesses of all sizes investing in smart technology to reduce supply chain hurdles and improve forecasting capabilities at all points of the construction journey. Due to uncertainty at the job site, investing in technology and smart solutions will help identify and prevent issues before they happen. At the close of a tumultuous year for inflation, savings are more important than ever and precise calculations are made possible by accurate insight and data collection.” One such example of smart technology benefiting supply chain hurdles and improving internal cost saving is that of Smart Construction customer , ECOSOIL Nord West GmBH. The firm employs around 300 people, and specialises in brownfield activities including land rehabilitation, environment-friendly earthworks and landfill construction. Working in partnership with the solution provider, ECOSOIL Nord West leveraged as-built data from its intelligent machines to monitor daily productivity at the Lager Waldteich project site. The Lager Waldteich project site’s primary objective was to build a retaining structure for the former Waldteich coal storage site, into which contaminated soil could be deposited. Site data was required by site manager Thomas Vent, who wished to manage and track in real time the volume of material movement each day, ensuring new material could be ordered and delivered in time to reduce bottlenecks and pressure points. Working with experts from Smart Construction, it was advised that ECOSOIL make use of as-built intelligent machine data. Benefits were instantaneous. Vent saved around 16 hours a month – two full working days – in time that would otherwise have been lost to travelling, surveying and processing data. Vent and his team were also able to identify any anomalies in daily performance and correct problems before they became more prominent, meaning he was also able to manage unforeseen costs. “At Smart Construction, we’ve designed an innovative portfolio of solutions, utilising hardware and software to create a full complement of IoT (Internet of Things) tools. This encompasses as-built data presented on our Dashboard gleaned from 3D Machine Guidance retrofit equipment as well as intelligent Machine Control, which is installed on a number of Komatsu machines. Smart Construction’s Remote offers site management the flexibility to send new design data to the field remotely, ensuring that teams are working off the most up-to-date plans for a project. These are simply a few ways smart technology and IoT can support in creating an even more profitable job site. Drones and surveying: a new way to approach the site Survey data has long been a prerequisite for construction, with regular site surveillance common practice for earthworks projects and prep for vertical builds. Regular site data has been historically collected with survey teams journeying to site and taking individual readings to build a comprehensive view of the site, pinpointing any areas of concern and building an ongoing view of the works. Richard believes this has seen a huge shift, saying: “Surveying was historically time consuming, labour intensive and fairly short sighted in terms of outputs, with results delivered back to clients over a course of days or weeks, by which point many measurements can be out of date. With the introduction of drone technology at the job site, managers are able to take more regular measurements of the terrain, with more data available to them including material moved over a given time period, changes in terrain profile, and more. These changes have been rapid, and have helped the industry reach new levels of efficiency, making surveying much more self-sufficient. “Not only does this reduce cost due to the fact that external surveying teams no longer need to make long journeys to site, but also offers more effective insight in much quicker time to make decisions.” Connected Construction sites and their impact on the landscape Using IoT connected sensors, devices and software, Connected Construction sites connect people, equipment and data. This allows real time communication and collaboration between all stakeholders, according to Richard. He says: “One of the significant challenges faced in earthmoving tasks is the unpredictability of what lies beneath the surface. Despite careful planning, unexpected conditions often emerge once digging commences, disrupting original plans. Instead of merely dealing with these unforeseen circumstances as they arise, a connected site offers a more dynamic solution. It monitors site activities, assesses any deviations, and modifies the plan accordingly, ensuring continuous alignment with the project’s requirements. “Employing an updated digital twin for all job sites will allow the industry to visualise, plan and execute with precision. Instead of using the digital twin as a reactive tool to troubleshoot issues, it can be utilised proactively in the planning stage. This proactive approach will ensure that projects are executed with confidence, knowing that the plans are well-informed and feasible.” As technology continues to be at the forefront of investment and business growth, the efficient application of connected construction sites looks to be revolutionising the industry in 2024. For more information about Smart Construction, please visit smartconstruction.io.
The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) is working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop an AI-powered tool to help electromechanical repair specialists ensure they repair hazardous area motors to the correct standard. The tool, which is being developed with some funding and support from Innovate UK, will enable engineers repairing rotating electrical equipment to clarify technical requirements through an easy-to-operate chatbot-style interface. Within the BS EN and IEC 60079 series of standards, various technical standards govern, among other things, the repair, overhaul, reclamation, installation, maintenance, and inspection, plus the design, testing and marking of equipment designed for use in explosive atmospheres. Navigating and interpreting this complex range of standards can be time-consuming and open to error. In addition, these standards are reviewed and updated periodically; however, it can be a challenge to ensure the right standard is used in conjunction with the age of the equipment being repaired. The tool under development by the AEMT and BSI aims to vastly simplify interpreting and complying with these complex standards while reducing the potential for error. Users of the system will be able to ask questions about the repair they are working on and be provided with the technical guidance and information required to ensure compliance and safety. The chat-based interface draws on large language model technology, which allows for further detail or clarification where needed. This is particularly valuable in interpreting a range of cross-referenced documents, where identifying the pertinent parts of various standards is not straightforward. By understanding the year in which the type of hazardous area equipment was certified, which can be established from the first two digits of the certificate number, the chatbot will be able to establish which version of the relevant standard applies. For example, in the 2000 version of the Ex d standard BS EN 50018, the dimensions relating to flame paths differ from those in the 2004 version, IEC 60079-1. However, where IEC 60079-19, which covers the repair, overhaul, and reclamation of equipment designed for use in explosive atmospheres, is concerned, the chatbot will only give information from the latest version. This is because repair procedures improve over the different versions released. For example, a go-no-go test, which helps to check for damaged threads, was introduced in the latest edition, 2019, but this is not referenced in the 2015 version of the same standard. The tool will initially cover ten versions of four different BS EN Hazardous Area standards and is due to be tested by AEMT members and rolled-out from quarter 2, 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brigade Electronics has launched Radar Predict – its latest innovative side Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) collision prediction safety technology specifically designed to protect cyclists from incidents with HGVs. Even before its launch, this product was already receiving positive feedback during customer trials and has earned expert recognition, being honoured as the ‘Most Innovative Product of the Year’ at the Motor Transport Awards. Utilising artificial intelligence (AI), Radar Predict alerts the driver about potential collisions by analysing data such as the speed and direction of the vehicle, and cyclists nearby. The system uses its specially designed algorithm to alert drivers when an impact with a cyclist is likely. Incidents involving large vehicles, such as HGVs, are far more likely to prove fatal than those involving a car. Many of the collisions between cyclists and HGVs occur because the driver has limited ‘direct vision’ from their cab (the ability to see what is outside the vehicle without using indirect aids, such as mirrors or cameras). Radar Predict supports HGV driver visibility via a single dual-radar unit, which is fitted to the nearside of the vehicle to provide complete side coverage, including the trailer unit. A trailer discovery mode will detect whether the vehicle is fitted with a trailer and prevents the articulation from causing false alerts. The driver is alerted only if a cyclist enters the detection zone and poses a potential collision risk. The system issues differentiated visual and audible alerts based on the time to collision, providing an initial notification upon detection and escalating to a more urgent warning if it predicts an imminent collision. Radar Predict’s key features include: Thierry Bourgeay, Senior Product Manager at Brigade Electronics, said: “Radar Predict has been specifically developed to address the issues caused by blind spots for HGV drivers when manoeuvring in close proximity to cyclists. The system ensures full coverage down the nearside of the vehicle, including the trailer, and greatly reduces false alerts for drivers as it will only activate when a collision is likely. Additionally, Radar Predict will automatically activate when the vehicle is turning, so no indicator selection is required by the driver.” To find out more about Brigade’s Radar Predict and its portfolio of vehicle safety solutions, please visit https://brigade-electronics.com/products/radar-obstacle-detection/radar-predict/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Despite the significant rise in the profile of artificial intelligence (AI), the UK’s Construction SMEs are largely undecided about the impact it will have on their business, sector and jobs. The findings are taken from the latest independent research* from Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing. Nearly six in 10 (56%) of respondents are of the view that AI will have a bearing on their business, but are undecided about the scale, with 21% (UK average: 20%) thinking it will have a large impact compared to 16% (UK average: 9%) who say it won’t have any measurable impact. Q: How much of an impact, if any at all, do you think the increasing presence of artificial intelligence will have on your business? A large impact 21% Some impact 35% Not much of an impact 23% No impact at all 16% Unsure 4% Business owners are split about whether to incorporate AI into their business processes, with 39% (UK average: 41%) saying they will against 47% (UK average: 40%) who have no intention of doing so. The remaining 15% (UK average: 19%) haven’t yet made up their minds. The key question about potential job losses brought about by AI also divided the crowd, with 43% (UK average: 42%) saying AI will lead to large scale job losses in their sector; 45% (UK average: 43%) are of the opposite view while 12% (UK average: 15%) are unsure: Yes No Unsure UK total 42% 43% 15% Manufacturing & Engineering 42% 43% 15% Food and Drink 42% 40% 18% Construction 43% 45% 12% Print and Packaging 52% 40% 8% Recruitment 40% 44% 16% Agriculture 38% 48% 13% Services (e.g. Finance, healthcare, Education, IT) 46% 35% 19% Transport & Haulage 34% 49% 17% Wholesale and distribution 39% 46% 15% While many see AI as a potential threat, more of the UK’s Construction SME business owners see the technology presenting opportunities for growth and employment in their sector than those who do not. Yes 46% (UK average: 46%) No 35% (UK average: 36%) Unsure 19% (UK average: 18%) The business areas (in order) most at risk from AI – according to respondents – are: Our view Matt Roper, CEO of Close Brothers’ Commercial business, said: “Artificial Intelligence already impacts us on a daily basis in hundreds of ways, from route mapping to using chat bots to answer questions, and it’s only likely to become more prominent in the coming years. “Our research is telling us a number of things; firstly, there’s an understandable lack of consensus about AI’s current and potential impact, largely because it’s only gained traction in the public imagination fairly recently. There’s also no agreed definition of what AI actually is. “Secondly, there’s a recognition that it could present opportunities for firms to use AI to their advantage, particularly in those sectors that are more reliant on digital innovation. “And lastly, firms aren’t yet sure quite how to incorporate AI into their business processes.” For a more detailed breakdown or discussion about the results, contact Anton Nebbe, Head of PR and Communications, 07736 286 144, anton.nebbe@closebrothers.com. For more news from Close Brothers Asset Finance, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has upgraded its student accommodation alarm systems via the implementation of IoT connected smart home sensors from Aico. The university offers guaranteed accommodation, to all students during their first year. Following the most recent British Standard revision for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in UK domestic premises, CCCU sought to upgrade all of its fire and smoke alarms to a Category LD1. This is the highest level of protection and incudes alarm coverage in all areas where a fire could start. Alongside fire detection, Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution has been designed to gather data on indoor environmental conditions. monitoring indoor air quality, Aico HomeLINK connected devices check temperature, humidity, ventilation, and carbon dioxide levels, enabling proactive maintenance and improved indoor conditions across CCCU’s student homes. The sensors give occupants actionable insights into the indoor environment in their student accommodation to help them prevent condensation, and damp and mould and provide a better experience within their accommodation The Aico HomeLINK solution also minimises nuisance and false alarms, by offering the university’s security and fire teams real-time data and trends in alarm activations to help them reduce call-outs that were not genuine fire or smoke alerts. Aico’s HomeLINK solution gives CCCU remote monitoring for property management so the right departments and people receive custom notifications and tags at the right times. This in itself has saved the university the cost of not-needed call-outs as the Aico Gateway only sends personalised notifications to whoever needs the alert and data. A CCCU Estates Team spokesperson said: “The Gateway system with instant notifications has helped us already to identify which students are triggering the alarms and then addressing the issue. The added benefit of the environmental sensors has led us to prioritise some remedial works to improve thermal efficiency of certain properties. Overall, so far it has shown how technology can benefit us as landlords, and plans are already in place to roll out across more of our properties.” The installation of the Aico Gateway sensors has tackled more problems than initially intended thanks to insights highlighting the key areas that need addressing in properties’ ventilation and insulation, and assuring the university that all of their alarm systems are working as they should. Chris Jones, Chief Executive Officer for Aico|HomeLINK, comments: “Canterbury Christ Church University is just one of the educational institutions we are working with to help keep their students safe and well. By leveraging IoT technology and integrating their teams with constant monitoring via sensors in real-time, the notifications allow the university to determine if there is a fire in progress or if the alarm is just a low battery or false activation in error by one of the students.” Aico|HomeLINK works with educational institutions across the UK, including the Universities of Bristol, Leeds and York, and Harper Adams University in Shropshire, to name just a few. Brad Wain, Regional Specification Manager, Aico, concluded: “I was thrilled to see CCCU implement Aico’s HomeLINK technology. Student accommodation providers play a key role in supporting these students as many leave home for the first time. Providing these properties with not only LD1 multi-sensor protection, but environmental sensors to monitor air quality, showcases the utmost care and consideration for the students staying in these properties.” To find out more about Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/homelink Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property management company, Rendall & Rittner, is proud to announce that an impressive 20,000 of its residents have signed up for its e-communications platform. This achievement reflects Rendall & Rittner’s firm commitment to creating sustainable communities for people to live, work and play in. Having initially been recognised for its sustainable approach to property management in 2010, Rendall & Rittner has continued to strive for improvements to its robust ESG strategy. In 2023, the company received the first ever Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award at the ARMA Ace Awards. Key benefits of Rendall & Rittner’s e-communications solution include: Catherine Riva, CEO of Rendall & Rittner Ltd comments: “For many years, Rendall & Rittner has been committed to developing sustainable strategies and practices that are mindful of the wider impact of our work. By switching to e-communications, residents at the developments we manage have helped us to further minimise our environmental footprint. We want to say a big thank you to all the residents that have signed up so far.” Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/our-regions/south/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Although Artificial Intelligence, Regulation and Access to Capital are the main subjects of the international meeting, sustainability plays a leading role in the production of stands, particularly the one produced by Feeders, which is striving to be more and more eco-friendly The Web Summit technology event is already underway in Lisbon, Portugal, and is bringing the application of technological innovations to the centre of discussions in various areas. And although artificial intelligence is the star of the event, sustainability remains a recurring matter, this time in a practical way. Developed and executed by the ephemeral architecture studio Feeders, the space for the Porto. brand was produced with the aim of promoting the re-use of materials, reinforcing the studio’s ongoing commitment to eco-conscious practices. In order to put into action what the brands have already included in their speeches, Feeders wanted to highlight the latest trends and innovations in the sector, based on the pillars of Economy and Tourism, by designing a space that has been thought out in detail for use at this and the next edition of the Web Summit, as well as at other events. All this, emphasising the need for concrete actions and sustainable innovation in the business environment. By promoting a meeting between the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem, from large companies to start-ups, Porto aims not only to consolidate its position as a quality global destination, but also to share innovative practices and operational strategies that contribute to the city’s sustainability. The stand featured elements that reflect Feeders’ technological excellence. The brand believes that by integrating sustainability and innovation, it is possible to create a positive impact and inspire significant change. “We are very excited to have been part of the Porto. brand at Web Summit. By developing a sustainable stand, we have aligned our participation in this international event with our environmental commitments and values. Moreover, it’s another project in which we demonstrate to our clients that there are valid alternatives for both the present and the future, in other words, that we present solutions that can be used more than once,” said Joaquim Silva, one of Feeders’ founding partners. At Web Summit 2023 there is a significant part of the agenda to address fundamental matters related to sustainability, through speeches and round tables. High-profile speakers, such as Professor Chris Kroll, Sita Chantramonklasri and Rachel Delacour, share their thoughts on the importance of sustainability, highlighting how companies play a significant role in driving positive change. To download the 3D and real images of the project, click on the following link. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AtkinsRéalis has won Learning Places Scotland’s prestigious ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award for the fourth time in five years. The global design, engineering and project management company picked up on the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ award and the ‘Project of the Year’ prize at the annual event hosted on Tuesday [14 November] at the Hilton, Glasgow. The Consultancy of the Year award is valuable recognition that AtkinsRéalis has demonstrated outstanding work in the education sector across Scotland during 2022/23, which has also been a fantastic period of growth with 20% uplift in projects delivered in 18 months. More than 60 education projects have been delivered during this period, including new facilities for 917 early years children, and improvement to classroom facilities for more than 21,000 new inspiring student and staff spaces. Kirsty Whitfield, Regional Managing Director for Scotland & Ireland Project & Programme Services, said: “I’m proud our team has been awarded Consultancy of the Year for a fourth time. Winning the award is true testament to our Scottish team’s commitment to ensuring high quality, innovation and collaboration in all our projects. Our fantastic team put everything into the success of our projects, driving to improve the learning experience for thousands of young people across Scotland. My congratulations go out to all those involved, and I thank our entire team and our partners for all their hard work and dedication.” James Butler, Managing Director for Project & Programme Services adds: “It’s a remarkable achievement and I’m so proud of our team. Picking up this award for the fourth time in five years not only reflects on the excellence of our team in Scotland, but also the amazing portfolio of education projects we have to work on, which is a real privilege. Congratulations to the team once again for being recognised for their efforts to deliver success for our clients.” The team continues to provide outstanding multi-disciplinary services delivering 40% of Scotland’s LEIP funded schools across nine local authorities, continuing to work with 10 Scottish Universities delivering >£200M of projects at University of St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. AtkinsRéalis supports Scotland’s ambition to be net zero by 2045, increasing the number of Passivhaus schools delivered, whilst collaborating with the SFT, local authorities and Universities. The team has generated £25M in Salix funding for its education clients. As well as the Consultancy of the Year award, AtkinsRealis received further award recognition from Learning Places Scotland: – AtkinsRéalis was appointed by Heriot-Watt University as Project Manager and Employer’s Agent, reflecting our longstanding relationship with the university and our extensive experience of higher education and research buildings. The £22m facility creates world-class robotic solutions for homes, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, energy and agritech and is the UK’s largest and most advanced robotics and AI research and teaching centre. In 2023, AtkinsRéalis underwent significant growth in the national education sector, providing multi-disciplinary services to over 600 education clients. The firm also picked up Consultancy of the Year award at the Education Estates awards in Birmingham last month. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With storm season in full force, SP Energy Networks is investigating the potential of using artificial intelligence to help predict faults in the electricity network ahead of severe weather hitting In a UK first, SP Energy Networks is trialling AI technology to better pinpoint potential faults on the electricity network caused by severeweather and help ensure equipment and engineers are on hand to tackle problems – even before they happen. The revolutionary £5 million Predict4Resilience project will use AI technology to predict where faults could occur up-to seven days in advance, allowing the electricity network operator to mobilise engineers and equipment to shorten the time power supplies could be disrupted. By using AI, historic weather and fault data along with network asset and landscape information are used to develop machine learning models. Combined with real-time weather forecasting, Predict4Resilience will inform SP Energy Networks’ control room about where the weather will hit and what damage it’s expected with much more accurately than ever before. This will enable the control room to mobilise teams and send them out ahead of time, ready to restore power should a fault occur. This innovative technology adds to SP Energy Networks’ storm response and will ultimately allow the network provider to respond more quickly to power cuts and more efficiently target resources ahead of storms. Guy Jefferson, Chief Operating Officer at SP Energy Networks, said: “Ahead of a severe weather event we mobilise hundreds of engineers, vehicles, and generators alongside thousands of pieces of other materials so we are ready to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. “We know the disruption severe weather can bring to our customers and we are constantly investing in our network and investigating new technologies that could be used to keep this disruption to a minimum. “Projects like Predict4Resilience offer us another tool to help inform our decision making during a storm and help to reduce the time it takes us to restore power, minimising the impact of severe weather on our customers and communities even further. “Through collaboration with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution to expand our testing area, the trial phase of this project will provide us with robust learnings to meet our ambition of rolling this technology out across the UK.” The leading network provider is working with partners to roll out the technology across the UK, including The University of Glasgow, who are developing the AI methods that underpin this new forecasting capability; Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution, which will use the findings to test a different regulatory area, resulting in a wider scale area being tested, and Sia Partners, a global consultancy who bring the technical capabilities to build the software and its supporting infrastructure, as well as its business expertise to ensure this technology can be rolled-out across all network operators. The project secured £4.5million funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) from energy regulator Ofgem and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which supports ambitious and innovative projects to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions. Sebastien Gerber, Head of Data Science and AI, UK and Ireland, at Sia Partners, said: “Sia Partners will continue its work from the previous phase of the project where it led the development of the solution prototype and built the supporting business case to secure further funding from Ofgem. “Our multidisciplinary team brings expertise in energy networks operations, data science, data engineering and UX / UI design to provide the end-to-end capability to deliver a software solution fit for all DNOs, as well as any adjacent sectors who suffer weather-related interruptions. “We’re proud to play such an integral role in Predict4Resilience and help create a more resilient network that minimises disruption and stress for customers, particularly for the vulnerable. We anticipate Predict4Resilience will bring about a range of significant financial, social and environmental benefits to the networks and their customers.” Dr Jethro Browell, Senior Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Glasgow says, “We are excited to be working with a great team of partners to make our electricity networks more resilient in the face of climate change. This is a fantastic example of how the mathematical sciences can impact our everyday lives for the better.” SP Energy Networks serves more than 3 million homes and businesses across the UK, who can benefit from this investment, ensuring a resilient and reliable power supply. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By John Gorse, Public and Government Affairs Lead, Signify UKI Connected lighting can help AI make smart cities greener The world has become increasingly urbanised. The UN reports that since 2007 more than half the world’s population has been living in cities. That number is projected to rise to 60% by 2030. Increased urbanisation brings with it increased responsibility for cities, especially regarding the environment. Cities account for roughly 70% of global carbon emissions and over 60% of resource use. Put simply, the world is on a collision course with an ecological reckoning and cities are one of the leading contributors. It follows that cities must also be leading drivers of change if we are to make good on our currently faltering climate pledges. And to successfully take climate action, artificial intelligence (AI) has a vital role to play. What is AI? AI is hard to define, both because it covers a wide range of offerings and because it is essentially a moving target—constantly learning and evolving is intrinsic to its purpose. At the most basic level, AI is digitalisation solution that leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. Essentially, it turns human-defined goals into mathematical ones. AI has long been touted as the technological tool that possesses both the greatest potential for advancement and the greatest degrees of risk. Data privacy is one such risk. Smart city technologies rely on data provided by citizens, but that data must be kept out of the hands of bad actors. A hacker with access to a smart traffic control system, for example, could cause mayhem. Legitimate organisations can potentially misuse AI as well, harvesting and exploiting data in ways that infringe on individual privacy. How can smart cities ensure that they’re using AI correctly? How can they use AI to advance their sustainability agendas in responsible and equitable ways? Read on to learn more. AI in cities AI has the potential to impact nearly every aspect of a smart city. It can bolster security with incident detection and intelligent CCTV. It can increase efficiency with traffic and parking management on roads, as well as automated updates and tracking options on public transportation. It can monitor air quality, manage waste, analyse energy usage—and that barely scratches the surface. To do any of these things, AI relies on data. Processing data, recognising patterns, and devising solutions based on those patterns—even predicting potential future difficulties that can be mitigated—are AI’s fundamental pillars. As such, any city that recognises and wants to capitalise on AI’s potential must ensure that its urban services are collecting data as effectively as possible. That’s where connected street lighting can play an important role. Sustainable partners: AI and connected lighting Sensors in streetlights can monitor air quality and temperature. They can also detect sounds—such as gunshots or smashed windows— and then alert first responders in real time, helping citizens feel more secure. Additionally, they help streamline traffic management by offering real-time traffic information and smart parking. This information can be shared with city traffic managers or directly with drivers via an app. Connected lighting is pivotal from a sustainability standpoint too. According to Climate Group, “A global switch to energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) technology could save over 1,400 million tons of CO2.” That’s equivalent to the energy produced by 1,250 power stations. Potential pitfalls AI will be key to addressing social, economic, and ecological challenges at a global scale. However, its limitations must also be acknowledged. AI & Cities: Risks, Applications and Governance, a report published by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with the Mila-Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, points to some of these limitations. “In order for an algorithm to reason, it must gain an understanding of its environment,” the authors write. “This understanding is provided by the data. Whatever assumptions and biases are represented in the dataset will be reproduced in how the algorithm reasons and what output it produces.” As noted earlier, AI turns human-defined goals into mathematical ones. But if the human-defined goals are based on existing preconceptions, then the data will end up reinforcing those assumptions. AI also falls short in evaluating its own performance. As the UN-Habitat report notes, “While it may be tempting to see algorithms as neutral ’thinkers,’ they are neither neutral nor thinkers.” AI has no grasp of wider context, and so can only produce results based on its pre-defined optimisation goals, which may be at odds with wider considerations—or worse, serve a misleading agenda. AI systems are mathematical and cannot integrate nuance. This means AI can sometimes end up excluding or underrepresenting subjective, qualitative information from its findings. Minimise risk with governance and accountability There are ways to mitigate the risks associated with AI’s shortcomings. Key among these are governance and accountability. Accountability ensures that some entity is always held responsible—and more importantly, always feels responsible—for AI’s impact. Algorithmic systems evolve, often unpredictably. A change in purpose will change their effects. Proper accountability can help negate mission creep, where technologies are intentionally repurposed for surveillance and other extraneous purposes. It can also help ensure that bad-faith actors aren’t able to willfully mishandle AI’s goals, or to repurpose them over time. AI governance refers to the sum of AI regulations, ethics, norms, administrative procedures, and social processes. Governance helps ensure AI is used in an inclusive and equitable way, and that preconceptions or lack of awareness in the early stages don’t allow AI findings to widen the digital divide or exacerbate existing inequalities. Governance lets local authorities evaluate the opportunities and risks afforded by AI, so they can then apply it in accordance with local context. Consulting citizens and communities is vital, too. The public is every city’s primary stakeholder; it needs to have a voice in how a tool as powerful as AI is being used in a community. This helps ensure AI is fixing local problems, not aggravating them. Responsible AI AI’s capacity for generating and expanding the possibilities of smart
