Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that ordinarily require human intelligence, such as visual perception, natural language understanding, and decision-making.

In practical terms, AI applications can be deployed in a number of ways, including:

1. Machine learning: This is a method of teaching computers to learn from data, without being explicitly programmed.

2. Natural language processing: This involves teaching computers to understand human language and respond in a way that is natural for humans.

3. Robotics: This involves the use of robots to carry out tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for humans to do.

4. Predictive analytics: This is a method of using artificial intelligence to make predictions about future events, trends, and behaviours.

5. Computer vision: This is the ability of computers to interpret and understand digital images.

While there are many different applications for artificial intelligence, the ultimate goal is to create systems that can autonomously carry out tasks that would otherwise require human intelligence. This could potentially revolutionise a wide range of industries, from healthcare and transportation to manufacturing and finance.

Construction is an industry that has already begun to adopt artificial intelligence in a number of ways. For example, construction firms are using machine learning to streamline the estimating process, and drones are being used to collect data and generate 3D models of construction sites.

In the future, it is likely that artificial intelligence will play an even more important role in the construction industry, as well as in other industries.