Author: Peggy Smedley
If you want to understand where construction safety is headed, then you need to pay attention to what the research shows, as it can provide a blueprint for the future of work. Recently, the American Society of Safety Professionals released a new report highlighting the future of workplace environmental health and safety. The research compiles feedback from safety professionals, including key takeaways, to identify trends impacting the safety profession across all industries. Although, the findings are particularly insightful for the construction industry, which still ranks as one of the top industries with the highest rates of workplace deaths. The American…
The conversation around AI (artificial intelligence) has long been rooted in the digital world—algorithms, dashboards, and predictive models. But as John Reed, general manager, manufacturing and mobility, Asia, Microsoft, and Matt Hatton, founding partner, Transforma Insights, both explained to me in March on my podcast The Peggy Smedley Show, the real transformation is happening at the intersection of digital and physical. This is where “physical AI” emerges: intelligence that doesn’t just live in software, but lives in the environment around us. In industries like construction and manufacturing, that leap will be essential as we move forward. Yet for process and…
The construction industry has always been complex, with projects involving countless moving parts—labor, materials, timelines, budgets, and stakeholders. For decades, many of these elements were managed through disconnected systems, spreadsheets, and paper-based processes. Today, the evolution of construction technology is being driven by advancements in ERP (enterprise resource planning), project management, and accounting systems. Journey back a couple of decades. Historically, construction firms often relied on separate tools for different functions. Project managers tracked schedules in one system, accountants managed finances in another, and executives relied on periodic reports that were often outdated by the time they were reviewed. This…
Much of the conversation around AI (artificial intelligence) in manufacturing and mobility has focused on the technology itself—algorithms, models, and digital capabilities. But here at Connected World and The Peggy Smedley Show, we always talk about the technology, the people, and the process. In this era of agentic AI, where intelligent systems don’t just analyze data, but begin to act, orchestrate, and autonomously execute across the enterprise, we must keep people and process top of mind. This is precisely the conversation I had recently with John Reed, global solutions leader, manufacturing and mobility industries, Microsoft, where he suggests we are…
For decades, jobsite safety has depended on manual inspections, incident reports, and after-the-fact analysis. Here at Constructech, we have covered as systems have moved from paper to Microsoft Excel to mobile apps, and now to something even more intelligent. With the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and the IoT (Internet of Things), we have more tech tools at our fingertips than ever before. Driven by AI, sensors, and more, these high-tech systems can see risks as they develop, interpret patterns, and intervene before incidents occur. Let’s consider one example. AI-powered video and monitoring systems can now detect unsafe behaviors—like missing…
What’s happening in the food industry? Food-service growth is expected to continue at a modest but steady pace in 2026, with real growth projected at 1.1%, slightly higher than 0.9% in 2025. The challenge is there is ongoing pressure related to costs and consumer expectations. Also, the food supply chain is under pressure like never before due to tightening regulations and persistent food waste, which is forcing the industry to rethink how it manages safety, quality, and transparency. Still, there is good news in all this discussion. There is a wave of innovation that is changing how food moves from…
Work zone fatalities have gone up in the United States, according to the most recent numbers from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Admin.) with more than 898 deaths and 40,000 injuries estimated in 2023. This represents a 50% increase in work zone fatalities reported between 2013 and 2023. This is simply unacceptable. Can emerging technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) help? Of course, if implemented correctly. AI-powered safety tools are increasingly being deployed to reduce risk by improving visibility, identifying hazards earlier, and assisting workers and equipment operators with better situational awareness. Unlike traditional safety tools that rely solely on human…
An announcement recently crossed my desk about an upgraded, purpose-built AI (artificial intelligence) analyst and I have so many questions and thoughts. I am guessing at first blush so do you. Let’s take a closer look at this announcement and what this could potentially mean for the analyst community and the market segment. But, first, let’s be honest: Analysts have always relied on tools. Years ago, it was spreadsheets and databases. Later it became data platforms, predictive analytics, and automated research tools. Now we are entering the era of AI-assisted analysis. The promise here is obvious. AI can process enormous…
If you caught my podcast of The Peggy Smedley Show last week, then you know I talked about why trusted brands matter more than ever in the construction industry. The numbers I found through that research were interesting, with roughly 89% of customers saying they expect to end their relationship with a brand if it violates their trust. Trust, price, quality, these are all things that are important for brands these days. I had all of this on my mind when a new announcement crossed my desk earlier this month. Octave, the potential software spin-off from Hexagon AB, unveiled a…
We have reached the point of AI (artificial intelligence) adoption where many are beginning to realize the only way forward is now through education. Many technology providers are now partnering with universities to bring learning and research to the future of work. From the state of Washington to New Jersey, new collaborations are demonstrating how education is becoming a central strategy for responsible AI adoption. What’s Happening in Washington State To get started, let’s travel to the state of Washington. Here we see the University of Washington and Microsoft have announced an expansion to their decades-long partnership, with a focus…