Author: Peggy Smedley
Peggy Smedley and Aimee Cox, research scientist, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, talk about how big of a problem distracted driving is on U.S. roads. She says distracted driving could be any secondary task that takes our mind or focus off of safe driving. They also discuss: The challenges of distracted driving. The most effective ways to reduce distracted driving. How technology can help from being distracted in the car. iihs.org (4/1/25 – 914) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Aimee Cox, Insurance…
The demands of rebuilding U.S. infrastructure continue to grow. FMI Corp.’s 2025 Civil Infrastructure Construction Index shows the first quarter 2025 index increased to 57.7% from 50.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This marks the 10th quarter of expansion. Still, there are challenges. 72% of respondents indicate current backlog levels are either higher or consistent with backlogs at the end of 2023, and that nearly 40% of respondents report they have insufficient personnel to meet their 2025 backlog demands. Today’s construction and engineering firms need to deliver these infrastructure projects quickly with fewer workers, all while infrastructure projects continue…
Microsoft in Action at Hannover Messe Gen AI (generative artificial intelligence) is here for many industries. In fact, 80% of manufacturing customers are considering using gen AI in their manufacturing operations and in their business processes—and it will fundamentally transform the factory floor and change how frontline workers interact with data. Certainly, this will be a point of conversation at Hannover Messe, which is scheduled to take place March 31-April 4. At the event, more than 4,000 companies will attend, with roughly 130,000 attendees, 1,600 speakers, and some 300 startups are anticipated to walk the long aisles from roughly 150…
Peggy shares the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, including three things we need to do to continue to raise the grade up. She says innovation is needed now more than ever before and she gives her thoughts on how we can achieve this. She also discusses: The history of the report card. Where we are today, including how many categories are still in the D range. What needs to happen next to ensure success with America’s infrastructure. peggysmedleyshow.com Watch on YouTube (3/25/25 – 913) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G,…
Peggy Smedley and Laura O’Neill Kaumo, president and CEO, American Concrete Pavement Assn., talk about the state of paving and infrastructure investment today, including some of the challenges state highway agencies will be facing in the near future. She says infrastructure investment from the federal government used to be this automatic bipartisan space that was reliable, and it was viewed as being important. Roughly 15 years ago, we saw a shift, she says. They also discuss: The impact of inflation on the IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). How to find the talent to work in construction. What will get…
Peggy Smedley and Matthew Weinzierl, professor, Harvard Business School, and Brendan Rosseau, strategy manager, Blue Origin, talk about how the space industry is changing. Rosseau says the biggest change is the model for how we did space activities has fundamentally changed. Weinzierl says it is natural to worry as we shift from NASA to startups and other companies. They also discuss: Opportunities that exist in the space industry. Examples that exist in the space industry. How to get children interested in the space industry again. hbs.edu (3/25/25 – 913) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big…
Both FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) and CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) will be a big consideration for federal contractors in the year ahead. Let’s break down what this means for your construction business. FedRAMP provides a standardized approach to security authorizations for cloud service offerings. It was established back in 2011 and then in December 2022, the FedRamp Authorization Act was signed as part of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, which codifies the program as the authorities standardized approach to security assessment and authorization for cloud computing products and services that process unclassified federal information. The…
While generative AI (artificial intelligence) has been the talk of tech for the past several years, agentic AI now offers new opportunities for business—and companies should be preparing for what comes next. Agentic AI builds on generative AI. Gen AI is simply the idea of turning large quantities of data into actionable intelligence. AI agents build on this capability. NVIDIA suggests agentic AI uses sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning to autonomously solve complex, multi-step problems. It suggests agentic AI uses a four-step process for problem solving: perceive, reason, act, and learn. Simply, it will enhance productivity. Agentic AI in Customer…
Peggy talks about how we can spark new curiosity and innovation, looking at how to equip the next generation to step up and find solutions to the problems that exist today. She says we need to encourage our children and our children’s children. She also discusses: Workforce trends and what today’s worker really needs. A new report on the mental state of the world. Three things to consider as you move forward in the future of work. peggysmedleyshow.com (3/18/25 – 913) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability,…
Peggy Smedley and Adam Bogobowicz, senior director, global industrial marketing, Microsoft, talk about what we can expect at Hannover Messe 2025 and key concerns for manufacturers today. He says it is one of the most important manufacturing trade shows and this year we will see gen AI (artificial intelligence)—along with other key considerations—play a big role. They also discuss: What technologies will be critical in the next 12 months. The role partnerships are playing. Case studies to consider. How Microsoft is powering sustainable transformation. The new role of frontline workers with access to data. 5 Leading AI Use Cases in…