Author: Peggy Smedley

Smart cities are coming—and in some cases they are already here. We continue to see case study after case study of how new technologies, including AI (artificial intelligence), continue to emerge, transforming our connected cities. Let’s consider one of those interesting cities in this column today. Travel with me through the city of Dubuque, Iowa. The city is using enhanced traffic management, including AI, for city management. The city of Dubuque, Iowa, wanted to maximize the value of its expansive video network, which included more than 1,300 cameras citywide. While these cameras provided extensive coverage, city officials wanted to go…

Much is changing in the world of construction. With fluctuating labor and material prices, advancements in new technologies such as AI (artificial intelligence), and a new federal administration, there are new opportunities to deliver projects faster than ever before. Of course, there will always be some hurdles to consider. Now, let’s look at what this means for construction infrastructure. The Civil Infrastructure Construction Index from FMI Corp., looks at the state of the infrastructure market quarterly. Now, we see 63% of respondents indicated backlogs that are at or exceeding internal expectations for this time of year. Construction companies must actively…

Can we trust our supply chains? The reality is third-party involvement in cyber breaches is growing, with 30% of breaches linked to third-party involvement, which is twice as much as last year, and driven in part by vulnerability exploitation and business interruptions, according to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report. The report analyzed 22,052 real-world security incidents, of which 12,195 were confirmed data breaches that occurred inside organizations of all sizes and types—and the data it found is enlightening, pointing the spotlight on supply chains. The research shows third-party involvement in breaches was an ever-present subject in incidents throughout the…

For the construction industry, risk is a big part of the success equation. Mitigating risk can lead to greater success for the business, and ultimately to more sustainable, resilient homes, buildings, and infrastructure. Understanding and identifying risk, then, becomes a critical step in ensuring success for a project. Let’s consider just one example. $368 billion. This is the economic losses resulting just from global natural disasters in 2024. $368 billion. This number is so crazy high to me. Now, imagine if there was a way to mitigate some of that risk. A new report from Aon, the 2025 Global Construction…

How much of your workweek do you believe is spent on ‘work about work’ instead of doing the work? Work about work could be status checks, updates, emails, or other things that are required to stay aligned. This is precisely the question that was asked in a recent survey of 1,000 technology workers, team leaders, and managers across the nation, and the results are eye opening. The survey was powered by AlphaROC, which is the data science company behind occam, a machine-learning powered market research platform, and was presented at a summit organized by the University of Maryland’s Project Management…

The future of work is changing faster than many of us would probably like to admit. Today’s worker is far different than the workers of the past—and technology, such as AI (artificial intelligence) is changing the game. It, then, becomes critical to keep an eye on the trends causing the workforce to remain competitive in a changing marketplace. A new report gives insights into skills development and technology adoption, helping to paint a picture of the future of work. ADP Research recently unveiled its People at Work annual report, which is built on the results from the ADP Research Global…

We are entering a very interesting era—one where we have data more readily at our fingertips than ever before, opening new worlds of opportunities for our businesses. And, yet we are also entering an era where we must be more diligent than ever before. We are already in the era of data breaches, and we are now also entering the era of deepfakes. Let’s look at some hard numbers before we go any further in the blog. The reality is 34% of companies saw an increase in evil doers attacking vulnerabilities to gain initial access and cause havoc and security…

Jobsites can be nearly seven times safer with health and safety best practices, according to a recent construction safety report from ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors). Welcome to Construction Safety Week—a week to pause and consider health and safety on the jobsite and the best practices and technologies that can enable a safer future for all. On a recent episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, I talk about the ways we can create a safer jobsite, and at the top of the list is leveraging technology. AI (artificial intelligence), more specifically, opens the door to new opportunities. Let’s consider the…

Prefab housing is on the rise, due to a variety of factors including labor and material shortages, and let’s face it, the need for more affordable housing. Mordor Intelligence suggests prefabricated housing will top at least $143.55 billion by the end of 2025 and it will soar to $198.25 billion by 2030, which is a 6.67% growth rate. I think even the Queen of Prefab would approve these numbers! The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are roughly 7 million prefabricated homes in the United States, which represents about 7.5% of all single-family homes. Also, more than 80% of contractors have…

The world has gone from 9.1% in circularity to 8.6% in 2020—meaning we are moving backwards. Going circular has the potential to open $4.5 trillion in value, according to the World Business Council’s Sustainable Development report. The European Union is taking steps to become more circular—and it could have an impact on manufacturing companies all around the globe. Launched in late 2019, the European Green Deal is changing the European Union, with a set of proposals to make climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels,…