Author: Peggy Smedley
Partnerships are the fuel that drives innovation—and in some cases that means partnering with an organization that might typically be considered a competitor for the greater good of all businesses. While many companies take this approach, I recently had an opportunity to talk to two companies—IBM Consulting and Microsoft—about how their partnership will accelerate the cloud journey for many businesses. In August, the two companies announced IBM is expanding its collaboration with Microsoft to help joint clients accelerate the deployment of generative AI (artificial intelligence). Ultimately, this will deliver a new offering to companies. With this announcement, the companies will…
Peggy Smedley celebrates 850 episodes and uses this segment to journey to the past—back to the year 1973—asking which device has changed your life more than any other device. She chronicles the early days of digital transformation and wireless communication by highlighting interviews she did in the early days of the podcast. She also: Discusses why it is important to look back if we want to look forward. Shares fun stories of some of the first inventions and the early days of M2M. Highlights one acquisition from December 2008. peggysmedleyshow.com (12/5/23 – 850) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial…
Peggy Smedley challenges listeners, saying we have an opportunity to solve today’s challenges with the inventions that started with our forefathers. She digs into many areas like sustainability, cybersecurity, and the labor shortage, sharing interviews she has done on each of these topics through the years so we can see where we have been and where we are going. She also discusses: How connectivity has evolved in our cars and other areas of transportation like rail and airlines and aviation to where it is today. The current state of the building and smart cities market and how technologies fit into…
Peggy Smedley and Laura Black, editor at large, Specialty Publishing Media, look to the future, talking about the biggest question of the day: What technology will be the hottest technology in the year ahead? Peggy and Laura talk about why it is important to slow down now so that you can speed up tomorrow. They also discuss: If all the hype will actually match what happens in 2024. Who the worker of tomorrow will be. How companies can prepare for what comes next. peggysmedleyshow.com (12/5/23 – 850) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital…
At the end of November, we were able to get a glimpse into where the construction market is headed, when the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) announced total construction starts for October. The numbers tell a pretty interesting story, as always, and point to some larger trends that just may be on the horizon for 2024. We see total construction starts nosedived 7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.1 trillion. Nonbuilding and residential starts plummeted 32% and 1%, respectively. Interestingly, nonresidential building starts gained 8%. Dodge Construction Network suggests the reason construction starts have weakened in the last…
We are seeing the rise of EVs (electric vehicles). In 2022 alone, we saw electric car sales soar by 62% compared with 2021, and IDTechEx estimates by yearend 2023 will see global sales rise by another 16%. But many are concerned about the sustainability of those darn batteries. But don’t let all the negative hype concern you. The good news is there is a lot of hard work being done surrounding battery recycling even right here in South Carolina. Redwood Materials takes an interesting approach to batteries, taking the batteries, recycling, and refining them down into mixed metal concentrates that…
This year, all the buzz has been around AI (artificial intelligence)—more specifically generative AI. Oftentimes, buzz around certain technologies tend to fizzle out at some point, but if we look closely at the history and recent news from some big players such as Microsoft, we see AI might just have some staying power. The reality is AI isn’t a new buzzword this year. Back in 1950, Alan Turing, a young British polymath, explored the mathematical possibility of artificial intelligence. In his 1950 paper, Computing Machinery and Intelligence, he explored how to build intelligent machines and test their intelligence. Five years…
Peggy looks at the biggest trend for hiring, pointing to two new reports that are out based on trends in the past quarter and predictions for 2024. She will also identify how technology fits into this conversation. She also discusses: Which companies are doing layoffs and which companies are among the top recruiters. The top key themes and technologies driving hiring trends. Five big trends for hiring to watch in 2024 and beyond. peggysmedleyshow.com (11/28/23 – 849) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast…
Peggy Smedley and Francesco Brenna, VP and senior partner, global Microsoft practice leader, IBM Consulting and Srinivasan Venkatarajan, director, data and ai global partner business, Microsoft, talk about their roles and how the companies work together. Brenna says together with our teams, we work at solving business problems for our clients, leveraging the power of the Microsoft technology. Venkatarajan shares about facilitating collaboration and driving partner innovation and transformation. They also discuss: The value proposition of the two companies working together to help other companies. The rise of Gen AI and three things the two companies are doing. Key vertical…
Peggy Smedley and Mandy MacVey, partner, Venable, talk about the new SEC rule coming out. She says a lot of construction is “just-in-time” or “I will deal with it when I need to,” and this new rule is one example of the need for advanced planning and updating processes and procedures. They also discuss: Who has to comply and how it will impact companies in the supply chain. The opportunity for work on infrastructure jobs and the importance to move to a more sustainable future at the same time. Tracking greenhouse gas emissions through the supply chain. venable.com (11/28/23 -…