Artificial Intelligence for Early Decision-Making Optimization in the Use of Modern Methods of Construction in Housing Projects in Chile

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) represent a significant opportunity to address the stagnation of productivity in the construction sector, offering advantages such as reduced uncertainty in schedules and costs, minimized waste, and improved sustainability. However, in Chile, the adoption of MMC remains low due to limited information and the lack of early integration in project planning, leading to subjective decision-making. The OptimizIA project, developed by CDT, proposes an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict and recommend the most suitable MMC solutions based on specific project conditions. This tool supports objective early decision-making in housing projects. The research involved piloting the model across nine projects, achieving a 77.7% match rate (exact or partial) between the MMC solutions historically used by companies and those recommended by the model. Positive user feedback suggests that OptimizIA has significant potential to enhance MMC adoption and optimize project performance. The findings indicate that AI can bridge gaps in early decision-making, offering actionable insights for integrating MMC solutions into construction projects. This study highlights the transformative role of AI in fostering productivity and sustainability in the construction industry, providing a foundation for future research and broader application.