- The construction industry – a sector worth $13–14 trillion annually, second only to healthcare – is entering an era of AI automation. Dr. Sarah Buchner, CEO of Trunk Tools, shared with Yahoo Finance how AI helps transform a “traditional and chaotic” industry into an intelligent, efficient, and scalable system.
- Buchner – who started working as a construction laborer in Austria at age 12 – deeply understands the industry’s “pain points”: fragmented data, schedule deviations, and poor communication. With Trunk Tools, she uses AI to standardize data, automate processes, and support on-site workers in real-time.
- From her story, here are 6 principles for effective AI application in any business:
- Choose the Right AI Partner: AI does not steal jobs, but people who use AI will steal opportunities. Choose specialized AI – developed by a company that deeply understands your field.
- Start with a Specific Process: Select a repetitive, time-consuming task that you understand best for your first AI deployment. Focusing on one goal helps avoid chaos and easily demonstrates effectiveness.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection: Despite raising $70 million and having 100 employees, Buchner admits she was rejected many times. “No” is part of the innovation process – the key is to adjust, not to give up.
- Broad Vision – Short-term Goals: Don’t be obsessed with a 5-year plan. Be flexible and experiment continuously. Use AI to clean data, automate small tasks, and learn quickly from mistakes.
- Know When to Walk Away from Customers: Not everyone is ready to change. Focus on the group that adopts technology early, instead of wasting time persuading resistors.
- Ask Again Before Fundraising: Not every company needs venture capital. Consider debt financing, cash flow, or strategic partnerships, and remember that fundraising is also a sales pitch – know your customer, understand your value, and accept the trade-offs.
📌 Summary: The construction industry, a sector worth $13–14 trillion annually, second only to healthcare, is entering an era of AI automation. The core lesson: True innovation starts by solving real problems, not chasing trendy technology. Effective AI application begins by choosing the right specialized partner and deeply understanding real-world needs. Businesses should start small, focusing on one repetitive process to validate value before scaling. Accept failure as part of the innovation process and maintain a flexible vision instead of a long-term plan. Focus on customers ready to adapt to new technology, avoiding wasted effort persuading conservatives. Finally, only raise capital when truly necessary to maintain control and achieve sustainable development with AI.
