Author: Peggy Smedley
There are many pros and cons to solar. Here on this blog, I have discussed some of the opportunities where solar can help and the challenges surrounding solar such as cost. The bottomline is growth is occurring and new programs are being launched, so construction professionals need to carefully consider how the future of solar will impact construction projects in the days ahead. The State of Solar The Solar Energy Industries Assn., suggests in the last decade alone, solar has experienced an average annual growth of 22%, due to several factors such as federal policies, declining costs, and increasing demand…
Peggy Smedley talks about how we can make factories more sustainable, pointing to news and case studies from Hannover Messe. She also shares tangible ideas for how to make our factories a little bit more sustainable. She also discusses: How Norway showcased digital technology and sustainable solutions for manufacturing. A sample e-bike manufacturer case study. New technologies that can help manufacturing workers. peggysmedleyshow.com (4/30/24 – 869) 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 you…
Peggy Smedley and Julie Shainock, global managing director, travel, transportation, logistics, Microsoft, paint a picture of what the future of travel could look like and what Microsoft is doing to help enable the future. She also shares how AI (artificial intelligence) is playing a role in travel and gives advice on how to best prepare for the future of travel. They also discuss: The numbers related to both domestic and international travel. Innovation in travel including biometrics, total airport solutions, 5G, the IoT, robotics, AI, digital twin, and wearables. The importance of partnerships, security, and sustainability. microsoft.com/industry/mobility Webinar: AI Demystified…
We all know generative AI (artificial intelligence) is transforming industries—and in many cases the long-term impact is still yet to be known. But the short-term impact is keenly apparent. Consider the example of education. Most education systems around the world on built on this deficit model, meaning what you don’t know, but AI could empower the abundance of a human being’s ability to learn. “We see it as an unbelievable enabling machine to overcome the limits of teaching, to overcome the limits of individual humans being the only teachers,” says Michael Crow, president, Arizona State University. “We think this is…
The infrastructure construction market is facing numerous challenges: aging infrastructure, population growth, climate change, new burdens on the electrical grid, an aging workforce, and increased complexity of projects, just to name a few. This is creating a perfect storm—and a perfect opportunity for new technologies such as digital twins. This is the conversation I had recently on The Peggy Smedley Show with Michael Campbell, chief product officer, Bentley Systems, who says the infrastructure construction market is ripe for leveraging technology like digital twins. “There is this interesting dynamic,” he explains. “We have these professionals who have been doing things the…
Peggy Smedley talks about the state of cybersecurity, sharing her thoughts about what needs to be done to solve this problem. She says cyber attacks are only going to increase in intensity, and we must be prepared for when an attack happens. She also: Breaks down the problem we are facing with cybersecurity. Discusses how much publicly reported compromises increased in the first quarter of 2024. Identifies the three things that need to be done to spur action. peggysmedleyshow.com (4/23/24 – 868) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud,…
Peggy Smedley and Michael Campbell, chief product officer, Bentley Systems, discuss the value of digital twins and the impact they have on infrastructure construction. He says infrastructure is such an interesting segment, sharing advice on how to address data silos. They also discuss: How and why the market is ripe for leveraging technology like digital twins. Examples such as the reimagining of a section of highway and incorporating embedded carbon calculation in the infrastructure digital twin. The idea of a digital thread and the rise of AI (artificial intelligence). bentley.com Colorado I-70 Project Case Study The Big Value of Infrastructure…
Peggy Smedley and Greg Sizemore, vice president of health, safety, environment, and workforce development, Associated Builders and Contractors, talk about the labor shortage facing construction. He says we have made progress, but the challenge is not just creating the conditions for individuals to find out about an amazing career, but on top of that is an urgency. They also discuss: Two things that come to mind when talking about what is causing the shortage. Training and how construction companies can best prepare for the future of work. Why contractors need to be thinking outside the box today. abc.org (4/23/24 -…
More than a decade ago, we started this conversation surrounding the IoT (Internet of Things) in manufacturing. Now, with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and the industrial metaverse, we have new opportunities with ML (machine learning) and deep learning to sharpen our skills, reduce mundane tasks, and improve business processes once again. We are at that next stage where we can truly improve profitability, while becoming more efficient, all with the help of technology. This was reinforced on my recent trip to the Innovation Design Lab and the Houston Microsoft Technology Center, aka MTC, which helps enterprise customers tackle…
With yesterday’s Earth Day top of mind for many, I have some thoughts about how we are currently in the perfect storm. Infrastructure in the United States is continuing to fail. Couple these challenges with increased drought, not enough food and water, and severe storms. This also comes while we are struggling to find skilled labor to address many of these challenges. The time is now to rebuild a more sustainable and resilient future. But what exactly does that really mean? Simply, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but opportunities abound. The Biden-Harris Admin., aims to help…