Sewing the Golden Thread with AI

It’s time for organisations to consider what they need to when it comes to implementing AI in support of delivering the Golden Thread.

The requirement for a Golden Thread establishes the digital traceability of information throughout a building’s entire lifecycle. It guarantees that all essential data related to a building or asset is accurately recorded and readily accessible to relevant stakeholders. Ultimately, this transparency is essential to proving that buildings are safe and structurally sound.

Meeting compliance obligations under Parts 3 and 4 of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 has pushed the construction industry toward improved information management practices. Information managers have been working to structure the necessary compliance evidence. The golden thread requirement established for higher risk buildings has shown that a focus on real time updates on the status of information is critical in getting information organised for approval. This, however, has proven to be a herculean task.

Traditional paper based documentation methods are unlikely to meet BSA requirements, whereas digital solutions that enhance information management could put organisations in the compliance path and reduce project risks. However, many digital processes still depend on human intervention, requiring yet another layer of expertise within an already complex and fragmented project environment. This is where AI can add substantial value.

AI has the potential to simplify information management tasks essential for establishing the Golden Thread, enhancing efficiency and providing an additional layer of assurance for projects. Client organisations – including local authorities, housing associations, private developers –  and contracting organisations could start engaging their supply chains to explore AI driven solutions that mitigate project risks. Here are some of the aspects organisations could consider.

Systems integration

Project teams rely on various specialized systems to produce and share information, often generating outputs in multiple formats. For companies aiming to establish the Golden Thread of information, the integration of these systems is crucial and should ensure that data remains connected and flows effortlessly across platforms.

AI can play a key role in simplifying this process by facilitating format conversion and enabling better system interoperability. A well-trained AI model, for example, can intelligently identify where specific information is located (eg a table in a drawing) and determine where it should be placed when reformatting is required (e.g., an asset register).

Data retrieval and analysis

The manual retrieval of data from multiple sources, such as design models, drawings, surveys, and safety reports, is often time consuming and prone to human error. While current digital systems enable searches by document ID and, in some cases, keyword searches within documents, AI takes this efficiency to the next level.

AI can streamline this process by implementing machine learning based data mining techniques. AI powered systems can automatically extract and cross reference data from various documents and formats, such as PDFs, drawings, and spreadsheets, providing real-time insights. Natural language questions such as “Please give me the location of all the fire rated doors in this building” and AI powered systems will retrieve the information that was structured in an asset information model.

Keeping information up to date

Throughout a building’s lifecycle, changes are inevitable – rooms may be renumbered during design, alternative manufacturers may be required during construction, and equipment may be replaced during operation. Keeping track of these updates is a complex and ongoing challenge.

With high-quality data, AI can assist teams in maintaining accurate information, reducing rework and minimising errors. For instance, AI can help facility management teams update their CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) systems whenever equipment is replaced. By extracting relevant details from operations manuals or forms, AI can automatically update the necessary fields in an asset register, which can then be seamlessly imported into the organization’s CAFM system. This automation ensures that records remain current, improving efficiency and decision-making.

By embracing AI driven solutions, the construction industry can take a significant step toward establishing a truly robust Golden Thread, ensuring that critical building information remains accurate, accessible and up to date. While challenges remain, the integration of AI into information management processes presents an opportunity to enhance compliance, reduce risks and improve overall project efficiency. As the industry continues to evolve, those who strategically adopt AI will be better positioned to meet regulatory demands and build safer, more resilient structures for the future.