The End Game of Digitization

Microsoft is investing $10 billion in OpenAI, a startup company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI is the maker of ChatGPT (an online chatbox) and other tools that can generate readable text and images in response to short prompts or questions. How does this technology translate to the concrete world? AI is based on artificial neural networks, inspired by biological neural networks of the brain. At its root, the network does not seek an absolute answer, like yes or no. Instead, it seeks a “good enough” answer by evaluating lots of parameters. Consider an AI model based on every recorded dispatch decision for ready mix concrete —batch weights, weather, geographic location, customer descriptors and more. We can ask the model, “What orders will be canceled tomorrow in the Bronx, NYC, for outdoor flatwork projects by driveway contractors, given a 50% chance of moderate rain?” Odds are high that the model will quickly yield a very accurate, but not exact, prediction. In this Tech Trends column, published by Concrete Products, BCMI’s Craig Yeack explains how AI pushes decision-making to the edge so front-end employees can make better decisions. Read here.