Author: Peggy Smedley
The manufacturing sector stands at an inflection point—facing both a deepening labor shortage and the promise and perils of agentic AI. Gartner warns more than 40% of agentic AI (artificial intelligence) projects will be scrapped by the end of 2027, largely due to high costs, unclear ROI (return on investment), hype-driven “agent washing,” and immature technology. Now if I replace the two letters AI with the IoT letters I think this is what we talked about almost a decade ago on the plant floor with the IoT. I am sure more companies do not want to look back and admit…
Peggy talks about the rise of “AI ghosts”—digital personas built from a deceased individual’s data—and what they mean for identity, grief, and ethics in the age of generative AI. With real-world experiments already underway, she dives into how AI agents powered by large language models can create AI ghosts, raising urgent questions about memory, consent, and the future of emotional technology. She also discusses: The who, what, when, where, why, and how of AI ghosts. The emotional, cultural, and legal implications of AI afterlives. Her candid take on what’s coming next. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/22/25 – 929) What You Might Have Missed:…
Peggy Smedley and Steve Clarke, president, Teresa Hayes, human resources manager, and Nathanael Forgy, operating technician apprentice, Logan Aluminum, talk about the labor shortage in manufacturing and how we got here. They each discuss the importance of manufacturing and opportunities for workers. They also discuss: How to inspire the future generations and bring talent in the door. The impact of mentors in manufacturing. The role of technology and automation in manufacturing. logan-aluminum.com (7/22/25 – 929) What You Might Have Missed: Smarter Manufacturing with Gen AI The New World of Manufacturing The History of Industrial Automation IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy…
Peggy Smedley and Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about how AI (artificial intelligence) is transforming white-collar work—and why even AI hallucinations can be valuable. He says we are used to automation impacting blue-collar work, well now with generative AI and business intelligence, it is really beginning to invade white-collar work. They also discuss: The importance of a liaison between machines and decisionmakers. The importance of white-collar workers using creative powers with machines. The importance of critical thinking when using AI. shapingtomorrow.com/home (7/22/25 – 929) What You Might Have Missed: AI as a Collaborator An Era of Robots in…
The construction industry stands at a critical crossroads—grappling with a deepening labor shortage while confronting the promise and pitfalls of agentic AI (artificial intelligence). According to Gartner, more than 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by the end of 2027 due to high costs, unclear ROI (return on investment), hype-driven “agent washing,” and immature technology. This isn’t a failure of innovation, but rather it’s a clear call for strategic realignment. Construction must adopt AI thoughtfully, matching technology deployment with strategic process that will enhance the jobsite. For those following along in our series, last week we explored who…
Today, the manufacturing industry is at a defining moment. It is facing a generational workforce shift and an accelerating wave of digital transformation, reshaping not only how we make things—but who makes them. Sounds silly right but hold on to your hats. There are a lot of winds on the horizon and the maker of the future just might be more human-like than human. Let’s face it, the industry is grappling more than ever with a massive labor shortage. The numbers are staggering; manufacturers need to fill more than 2 million positions by 2030, and we’re already behind the proverbial…
Peggy dives into the multitrillion-dollar future of humanoid robots and how they could transform both industry and society. With projections showing nearly 1 billion humanoids in use by 2050—primarily in commercial and industrial settings—she breaks down what this means for the workforce, business, and our lives. She also discusses: The historical evolution of robotics and the birth of humanoids. The who, what, when, where, why, and how of humanoids. The cost, opportunities, and challenges—and her thoughts on what comes next. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/15/25 – 928) What You Might Have Missed: Where’s Your Robot? The Rise of Cobots An Era of Robots…
Peggy Smedley and Arthur Axelrad, cofounder and CEO, Dispatch Science, talk about TMS (transportation management systems) and how they have evolved. He says in the logistics and supply chain world, there are companies that have a mission to deliver parcels and all of that requires coordination, so TMS software is that segment of business management that specializes in managing the transportation of goods. They also discuss: How transportation management systems have evolved, highlighting the shift from manual processes to advanced software solutions. The role of AI (artificial intelligence) in the logistics industry and if it is accelerating certain processes and…
Peggy Smedley and Jon Summers, research lead in data centers, Research Institutes of Sweden, adjunct professor of fluid mechanics, Luleå Technical University and visiting professor in thermofluids, University of Leeds, talk about rising energy costs and data centers. He says we are in a difficult position because data centers are scrambling for access to power. They also discuss: The high energy consumption of AI infrastructures and data centers, and the need for more resource-efficient solutions. The environmental impact of data centers, including electronic waste and the depletion of critical raw materials. The ongoing research and technological advancements aimed at making…
Today, the construction industry is at a crossroads. We have a demographic shift and rapid technological advances, which is leading to an entirely new construction workforce. Add to this the fact the construction industry is in the middle of a labor crisis. We’re short more than half a million workers this year alone, and that’s on top of routine hiring needs. This isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about filling the right jobs with skilled, safety-minded, tech-ready talent. This is a problem with housing issues and mega projects needing to be constructed. We need to face the fact that too many…