UA Little Rock Instructor Develops AI Boot Camp to Modernize Construction Management Education
Dr. Gozde Gursoy, a senior instructor in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering at UA Little Rock, is launching a two-week artificial intelligence (AI) boot camp to equip students with cutting-edge skills in construction technology.
The boot camp starts April 17 as part of the Advanced Building Information Modeling course, and it will help students learn to bridge the gap between traditional construction methods and emerging AI tools.
Gursoy said that the use of AI can help improve construction in several ways, including improving project planning and design, increasing safety on construction sites, optimizing material selection, and improving project management and scheduling.
“My AI Boot Camp is designed to integrate AI into construction education in a hands-on way,” Gursoy said. “Students will explore practical applications of AI, such as project management, renderings, and code analysis, to enhance efficiency and reduce human error in construction processes.”
A major focus of the program will be AI-powered safety analysis, where students will learn how AI detects missing hard hats or safety hazards in security footage. Additionally, students will use AI-driven software to generate project estimates, automate quantity takeoffs, and create multiple design variations within minutes.
“AI can turn a single model into 100 different variations quickly, providing clients with multiple design options in a fraction of the time it would take manually,” Gursoy said. “While it’s still essential for students to understand how to complete these tasks manually, AI has the potential to transform hours of work into minutes, improving overall efficiency.”
Gursoy has already incorporated AI into her courses, utilizing programs like Hover, a 3D modeling tool, and BIM 360, which enables predictive analytics for cost reduction and energy efficiency. Students will also explore Roboflow, SmartPM, Ordinal, and Togal.Al. The AI Boot Camp will take this integration further, analyzing how students interact with AI, identifying challenges, and contributing to research on AI adoption in construction education.
“The construction industry is sometimes slow to adopt new technology, but our students can help drive that change,” Gursoy said. “If interns and young professionals bring AI-powered best practices into the workplace, they can help improve efficiency, minimize errors, and advance the field.”
With AI continuing to reshape industries, Gursoy’s initiative ensures that UA Little Rock students are prepared to leverage innovative AI technology and become leaders in the evolving construction industry.