GPT models in construction industry: Opportunities, limitations, and a use case validation

Large Language Models (LLMs) trained on large data sets came into prominence in 2018 after Google introduced BERT. Subsequently, different LLMs such as GPT models from OpenAI have been released. These models perform well on diverse tasks and have been gaining widespread applications in fields such as business and education. However, little is known about the opportunities and challenges of using LLMs in the construction industry. Thus, this study aims to assess GPT models in the construction industry. A critical review, expert discussion and case study validation are employed to achieve the study's objectives. The findings revealed opportunities for GPT models throughout the project lifecycle. The challenges of leveraging GPT models are highlighted and a use case prototype is developed for materials selection and optimization. The findings of the study would be of benefit to researchers, practitioners and stakeholders, as it presents research vistas for LLMs in the construction industry. [Display omitted] •Applications of large language models are limited in the construction industry.•GPT models are evaluated for deployment in the industry.•Opportunities and emerging challenges are discussed.•A use case of GPT with BIM for material selection and optimization is validated.•Research vistas for GPT are presented.