Unlocking Efficiency with AI

Transforming pipeline construction from the ground up

Adam Wisniewski, CTO; Dariusz Ciesla, VP of Product and Strategy; and Jakub Fajkowski, AI Tech Lead, AI Clearing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the face of pipeline construction. No longer just a buzzword, AI— powered by machine learning and computer vision—is solving some of the industry's most persistent challenges: tracking field conditions, reducing rework, and improving schedule adherence. The result? Faster, safer, and more efficient projects.

What is AI doing for pipeline construction?

At its core, AI refers to computer systems that learn from data to improve over time. In construction, AI systems are being trained to understand visual data—images, drone footage, sensor outputs—much like a human would, but at far greater speed and scale. Through deep learning and computer vision, AI can:

AI-powered drone inspections enable daily visibility into trenching, pipe laying, and earthworks.

- Detect and classify construction elements

- Measure trench depth or earthwork volume

- Compare progress against design and schedule

- Identify discrepancies in real time

Unlike humans, who may overlook subtle inconsistencies, AI identifies patterns and flags issues with consistent precision. For instance, identifying pipe segments that haven’t been properly backfilled or verifying whether excavation matches the plan becomes an automated process.

AI-powered dashboards offer instant project insights, reducing ambiguity and miscommunication.

Better

than human? In some areas, yes.

Human intelligence brings creativity, adaptability, and on-site experience. But AI excels in processing high volumes of data quickly and reliably. For example, AI Clearing’s proprietary engine has analysed terrain and construction progress across areas exceeding 21 times the size of Paris— a task impractical for manual review.

Take the task of object recognition. Human spot-checks may yield accuracy around 80%. With AI, accuracy regularly approaches 100%, enabling confident decision-making and reporting. This performance has earned AI Clearing the distinction of being the first tech company in the world to receive ISO 42001 certification for trustworthy AI use in construction.

Real-world impact: from weekly reports to daily clarity

Pipeline construction professionals often struggle to answer key questions like:

- How much earth has been removed this week?

- Have pipes been laid and backfilled according to schedule?

- Are we meeting progress milestones?

Using drone footage and AI analysis, these questions can now be answered daily—often automatically. AI-enabled reporting replaces scattered field notes with centralised, visual dashboards. The result is fewer delays, fewer disputes, and far less guesswork.

Data is the foundation

AI is only as good as the data it learns from. High-quality, annotated data is essential. That’s why AI Clearing invests in centimetre-accurate drone inspections and expert GISbased data labelling. With custom-built labelling tools and proprietary training processes, models can learn rapidly, becoming effective in weeks—not months. This creates a system that not only detects construction elements like piles and trenches but also calculates quantities and flags missing elements in near real-time.

What’s next? AI agents on the jobsite

AI Clearing is developing an intelligent assistant to answer project-specific questions and assist in tasks like deficiency tracking and schedule management. Think of it as a digital project engineer, available 24/7, providing instant insights on project health and compliance.

Why it matters to you

The future of pipeline construction lies in clarity, speed, and data-driven control. AI is the tool that gets us there. By shifting from reactive problem-solving to proactive monitoring, project managers and field teams can deliver safer, more predictable outcomes—without increasing overhead. In an industry where margins are tight and mistakes are costly, adopting AI isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about staying competitive.

Interested in bringing AI efficiency to your next project? Visit www.aiclearing.com to learn more.