Author: Peggy Smedley
Peggy Smedley and Al Ortega, James R. Birle endowed chair professor of energy technology, Villanova University and director of the National Science Foundation Center for Energy Smart Electronic Systems, talk about data centers, cooling systems, and sustainability issues within the data centers. He talks about the amount of power data centers use, saying in 2025 an equipment rack consumes about 100 kilowatts. They also discuss: How data center consumption compares to consumption in a typical U.S. home. Cooling systems such as liquid cooling. The things we need to do to make data centers feasible. es2.villanova.edu (8/5/25 – 931) What You…
Peggy Smedley and Brian Kassalen, principal and construction industry leader, Baker Tilly, talk about AI (artificial intelligence) in construction. He says construction contractors have been slow to adopt technologies, but you can’t have a conversation today with a contractor without having some conversation about AI. They also discuss: Historical labor challenges in construction and how AI can help contractors protect margins. How machine learning, digital twins, and predictive analytics can help. How AI can help with bidding and negotiation. bakertilly.com (8/5/25 – 931) What You Might Have Missed: AI in the Steel Industry Construction Safety: A Tech Toolbox Talk AEC:…
Construction has always been cyclical in nature, resilient, and critical to rebuilding cities and infrastructure. But for too long, the construction industry has lagged others when it comes to embracing digital transformation. For years, many have debated why the construction industry was slow to adopt technology. And really nothing has changed over the years. However, that’s about to change, and fast. AI (artificial intelligence) is no longer just a buzzword, but rather it’s becoming a critical tool on the jobsite and in the backoffice. Construction companies are not just catching up. They are now poised to lead the charge, and…
The conversation around smart factories, agentic AI, and Industry 4.0 isn’t theoretical anymore, but rather it’s on the shop floor and it is continuing to evolve. Manufacturers everywhere are deploying automation, sensors, and intelligent systems to boost productivity and stay globally competitive. Here’s the hard truth: shiny tech (object syndrome) alone won’t fix what’s broken, certainly not anymore. Success depends on how well we align technology with people and process. If you have been following along here, then you know we are in the midst of a blog discussion that takes you on a journey to the future of manufacturing…
Peggy explores the explosive growth of agentic AI (artificial intelligence) in smart cities—and what it means for urban life. With the global market expected to surge from $1.88 billion in 2024 to $58 billion by 2030, she unpacks how AI is reshaping the way cities operate, grow, and serve their communities. From improved waste management to accelerated housing permits, Peggy breaks down the real-world use cases—and what’s coming next. She also discusses: Case studies from cities like Centerville, Seattle, and beyond. The top 10 most effective AI use cases in cities. The challenges ahead including data privacy, transparency, and more,…
Peggy Smedley and Al Ortega, James R. Birle endowed chair professor of energy technology, Villanova University and director of the National Science Foundation Center for Energy Smart Electronic Systems, talk about what’s driving growth in data centers. He says to think about the data centers as being the infrastructure heart. They also discuss: Why the name changed from server farms to data centers—and a fun historical story. The physical architecture and size of a data center. NVIDIA’s AI factory and what comes out. es2.villanova.edu (7/29/25 – 930) What You Might Have Missed: All about Data Center Construction What’s Driving Data…
Peggy Smedley and Al Ortega, James R. Birle endowed chair professor of energy technology, Villanova University and director of the National Science Foundation Center for Energy Smart Electronic Systems, talk about what’s driving growth in data centers. He says to think about the data centers as being the infrastructure heart. They also discuss: Why the name changed from server farms to data centers—and a fun historical story. The physical architecture and size of a data center. NVIDIA’s AI factory and what comes out. es2.villanova.edu (7/29/25 – 930) What You Might Have Missed: All about Data Center Construction What’s Driving Data…
Peggy Smedley and Luke Faulkner, director of technology integration, American Institute of Steel Construction, talk about AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is impacting the steel industry. He says the steel industry has been a slow adopter of technology, but that has accelerated by force of nature, and it has been determined AI is one of the top opportunities facing this industry. They also discuss: The opportunities and risks of AI in this space. Some of the applications for AI in the steel industry. The role of different generations. aisc.org (7/29/25 – 930) What You Might Have Missed: 4 Trends…
Peggy Smedley and Luke Faulkner, director of technology integration, American Institute of Steel Construction, talk about AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is impacting the steel industry. He says the steel industry has been a slow adopter of technology, but that has accelerated by force of nature, and it has been determined AI is one of the top opportunities facing this industry. They also discuss: The opportunities and risks of AI in this space. Some of the applications for AI in the steel industry. The role of different generations. aisc.org (7/29/25 – 930) What You Might Have Missed: 4 Trends…
The conversation around smart jobsites, connected equipment, and AI-powered planning is no longer hypothetical—it’s already happening. Across the country, construction firms are rolling out sensors, automation tools, digital twins, VR/AR, and mobile platforms to increase efficiency and stay competitive. But let’s get one thing straight: shiny object alone won’t fix what’s broken. It will only continue to find itself isolated with all the other lost products that get purchased only to be shelved collecting dust. The real transformation happens when we align technology with people and process. If you’ve been following Constructech blog series, you know we’ve been digging deep…