What is ConTech

Construction is an activity that fulfills one of the basic needs of humans (i.e., shelter). However, this industry is also known for its excessive waste generation, which impacts the environment if not disposed of appropriately. Much of the waste consists of harmful material; when dumped in the landfills, this leads to gradual leaching of various undesirable ions into the groundwater, causing water quality deterioration. Such leachate-rich water when used by humans for various purposes causes diseases and deformities. Thus, to improve the ecological civilization and to promote the overall ESG proposition in the construction industry, artificial intelligence (AI) is a suitable solution. This chapter puts forward a case study of an AI-based ConTech startup, called viAct that developed and tested AI modules for monitoring waste generation and disposal at construction sites. The AI modules are trained and tested for their efficacy in various construction sites for illegal dumping detection and classification of different types of waste material before they are discharged in landfill areas.