Providence-based Gilbane Building Co. has signed a deal with Trunk Tools to deploy its AI chatbot, TrunkText, across jobsites nationwide. Starting with ten projects in sectors including healthcare and commercial, Gilbane aims to use the AI to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and boost productivity.
Previously, Gilbane successfully utilized TrunkText on the Baird Center project in Milwaukee, managing nearly 21,000 documents. This partnership reflects a broader trend among major contractors, such as Balfour Beatty and Skanska, exploring AI to enhance project data management and field team support.
Trunk Tools, founded in 2021, views this collaboration as a major opportunity to showcase its technology and support builders in increasing productivity and reducing rework. The platform enables users to upload project documents and use AI to quickly retrieve information, thereby minimizing costly rework.
Gilbane’s chief information and digital officer, Karen Higgins-Carter, and head of innovation and transformation, Kelly Benedict, both emphasize the strategic benefits and positive impact of AI on construction processes.
Gilbane Building Co.’s partnership with Trunk Tools to deploy TrunkText across various job sites marks a significant advancement in integrating AI into construction. This initiative, initially targeting ten projects in healthcare and commercial sectors, aims to optimize operations and elevate productivity by managing project documents efficiently. Having previously demonstrated success on the Baird Center project, Gilbane is reinforcing its commitment to innovation in construction. Trunk Tools views this collaboration as a pivotal opportunity to highlight its AI capabilities, contributing to reduced rework and enhanced project data management. Both Karen Higgins-Carter and Kelly Benedict from Gilbane underscore the strategic value AI brings to modern construction practices.
