Author: Peggy Smedley
Perhaps one of the biggest factors holding back widespread adoption of sustainability in the home is the cost—or is it? One new survey suggests 56% of U.S. internet households would select renewables as an energy source if costs were the same and 36% say they would pay more to use power from renewable sources. That is a start. And it seems this is a trend that is already starting to take hold too. Parks Associates research shows 45% of broadband households made energy-saving renovations or added major energy devices in 2021, which is an all-time high. This is a trend…
For more than a decade, we have been talking about how builders can put technology—back then it was called AHT (automated home technology)—in new homes as a competitive advantage when selling houses. Today, it is no longer a competitive advantage; it is expected by consumers. So, what exactly should go inside new homes? The answer is long and short. If we were to sum it up in a word, it would be sensors. Sensors enable homes to become smarter. They can create more convenience in the home, while also providing an environmental impact. However, ABI Research suggests it is the…
One question I always like to ask during a one-on-one interview with executives is: What is keeping you up at night? The answer to this question will inform decisions made in the organization and which technologies are ultimately implemented. This is why my interest was piqued when I was reading through Gartner’s second quarter 2022 Emerging Risks Report, which was published in July. Concerns about a macroeconomic downturn has rapidly ascended into the top emerging risk facing organizations today. What’s more, there is a high degree of interrelated risks that need to be addressed. Gartner actually surveyed 306 senior executives…
Peggy talks about one of her favorite topics: cybersecurity, narrowing in specifically on ransomware. She gives an update on the state of the market and how organizations can make smarter decisions and minimize risk. She also discusses: The five industries that are the greatest targets. If ransomware is up or down—and the reasons why. How to best prepare for the next big attack. peggysmedleyshow.com (8/2/22 – 782) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If…
Peggy and Jim Gandy, meteorologist, talk about climate change and how it is different from sustainability. He says climate is a long-term average of the weather and there are three ways it can change, detailing each on the show. They also discuss: What is driving the climate change we are seeing today. A specific example of how climate change is impacting food supply. How business groups, individuals, and local governments are embracing renewable energy. peggysmedleyshow.com (8/2/22 – 782) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work,…
Peggy and Jason Rolland, SVP of materials, Carbon, talk about 3D printing technology and how the use of materials can create sustainable consumer products. He says from the very beginning of the company, it asked: Why isn’t 3D printing a go-to manufacturing technology and why is it stuck in prototyping? They also discuss: Two hurdles that have stalled the use of 3D printing. The importance of materials and shrinking the product development cycle. Impossible geometries and how it is impossible to make certain structures without 3D printing. carbon3d.com (8/2/22 – 782) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine…
Climate change is impacting homeowners in myriad ways. From the hurricanes in the South, to the wildfires out West, to tornados in the Midwest, natural disasters are on the uptick and homeowners need to be prepared by living in resilient homes. Perhaps it’s long overdue, but we really need to take a closer look and narrow in on the drought-stricken areas of the world. Average drought conditions across the nation have varied over time. The 1930s and 1950s saw the most widespread droughts. During the period from 2000 through 2020, roughly 20-70% of the U.S. land area experienced conditions that…
Tomorrow’s infrastructure needs to be resilient and connected if we ever intend to fulfill the objectives of its users—and simply that needs to be built today. AI, (artificial intelligence) ML (machine learning), cloud computing, the IoT (Internet of Things), and digital twins can be applied in myriad ways, constructing and designing the most massive and impressive infrastructure of the future. With more than 80,000 centerline miles of highway and more than 14,000 employees statewide, TxDOT (Texas Dept. of Transportation) has a vision to provide mobility, enable economic opportunity, and enhance the quality of life for Texans. To meet these goals,…
Supply-chain officers have several risks that regularly need to be assessed—many of which can be evaluated by leveraging digital technology. One such example is the risk that climate change poses to our supply chain. Many realize climate change risks are materializing and are beginning to identify what this means for supply chains. While there are perhaps too many risks to name, some include the impact of rising sea levels on transportation and the influence of increasingly extreme weather on all industries, just to name a few. From wildfires threating lumber to hurricanes barraging seaside industries, the effects are wide and…
Peggy talks about the importance of people, process, and technology—narrowing in specifically on technology bottlenecks and solutions. She says we need technology to proceed with digital transformation, but it goes much deeper than that, explaining what is required from technology today. She also discusses: How software engineers are burned out. How many information technology teams completed all of their assigned projects last year. How we can eliminate IT bottlenecks. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/26/22 – 781) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available…