As artificial intelligence creeps into more areas of our daily lives, Equipment World asked readers in a recent poll: Are you using AI when researching construction equipment for future purchases?
The results revealed that the majority of polled contractors are not using AI when deciding which machines to purchase, though contractors who are using AI have deployed this technology to gain a wealth of information. In all, the online poll on equipmentworld.com generated 102 responses from contractors and ran from July 29 to August 14.
Just under 55% of surveyed contractors are not using AI at all when researching equipment to buy, while another 25.5% say AI is their primary research tool for equipment purchases. Another 8.8% said they use AI to summarize specs, reviews, articles and videos after doing their own research, and 5.9% said they’ve tried AI a few times but don't rely on it.
Among contractors who use AI as their primary research tool for future equipment purchases, the most commonly listed use was to compare machine specs side by side, followed by calculating ownership costs and ROI, recommending the best machine based on job requirements, and summarizing owner reviews and expert tests.
Powered byThe construction industry is experiencing a flood of AI technology targeting a variety of applications. Recent examples include in-cab voice assistants, traffic-warning smart watches and support and automation tools.
Equipment World’s online poll series examines the latest trends in the industry and provides insights into what contractors are thinking. Got a burning question we should ask? Send it to Jordanne Waldschmidt at [email protected].
