5 Ways AI Is Revolutionizing Construction, According to Jonas Ebrahimi

At Karmen, artificial intelligence is transforming the construction industry. By working with contractors and project managers, Karmen has helped integrate AI-driven solutions that address longstanding challenges, drive efficiency, and enhance safety. Drawing from Jonas Ebrahimi’s experience founding Karmen, his background in project management, and insights gained from being the CEO of Karmen, here are five key lessons that reflect critical industry shifts:

Lesson 1: Seamless Integration with Legacy Systems

Many construction firms are concerned that adopting new technology will require abandoning the reliable systems they have built their projects on. Traditional industries, rooted in established workflows, often resist rapid change. Having worked with large industrials as a metals trader, Ebrahimi witnessed firsthand how these sectors rely on established processes and are hesitant to embrace disruptive technologies. Karmen has taken a pragmatic approach — ensuring that AI does not replace existing platforms but integrates seamlessly into systems like BIM and ERP software. This allows companies to leverage data-driven decision-making while preserving their trusted workflows, making adoption smoother and more effective.

Lesson 2: Enhanced Data Analytics & Predictive Maintenance

Unpredictable delays and unexpected equipment failures can derail projects. During his time in project management on a mining construction project, Ebrahimi observed how equipment downtime led to significant cost overruns. By applying AI to data analytics, construction teams can shift from reactive to proactive maintenance. Analyzing historical and real-time data enables early detection of potential issues, allowing teams to schedule maintenance before problems arise. This predictive approach keeps projects on track and reduces costly downtime.

Lesson 3: Automation of Administrative Tasks

Administrative tasks such as document management and change order processing consume valuable time. By working with construction companies in the Bay Area, Jonas has seen a significant amount of time spent on manual data entry. Through AI-powered automation, Karmen has streamlined these workflows — automatically extracting data from construction documents, organizing information, and reducing manual errors. This shift allows project teams to focus on high-impact decisions rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.

Lesson 4: Enhanced Communication and Collaboration

Miscommunication has always been a major source of delays and inefficiencies in construction. While working as part of the research team for one of London’s large real estate developers, Ebrahimi saw how decentralized information led to costly mistakes. AI-driven platforms improve collaboration by centralizing project data and providing real-time updates between field teams and office staff. These tools ensure that everyone stays informed and aligned, reducing misunderstandings and improving project outcomes.

Lesson 5: Real-Time Monitoring and Updates

The ability to track job site progress in real time has been a game changer. Karmen has helped teams use AI to analyze project updates and flag potential risks early. By enabling real-time monitoring through automated data analysis, construction managers can stay proactive and ensure that projects remain on schedule.

Jonas Ebrahimi’s journey from project management in industrial settings to co-founding Karmen demonstrates that innovation does not mean discarding the old; it means enhancing it. By seamlessly integrating AI into legacy systems, leveraging data for predictive insights, automating routine tasks, improving communication, and enabling real-time monitoring, Karmen is helping to build smarter, safer, and more efficient construction sites. AI is not just the future of construction — it is transforming it today.

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