Author: Peggy Smedley
An announcement recently crossed my desk about an upgraded, purpose-built AI (artificial intelligence) analyst and I have so many questions and thoughts. I am guessing at first blush so do you. Let’s take a closer look at this announcement and what this could potentially mean for the analyst community and the market segment. But, first, let’s be honest: Analysts have always relied on tools. Years ago, it was spreadsheets and databases. Later it became data platforms, predictive analytics, and automated research tools. Now we are entering the era of AI-assisted analysis. The promise here is obvious. AI can process enormous…
If you caught my podcast of The Peggy Smedley Show last week, then you know I talked about why trusted brands matter more than ever in the construction industry. The numbers I found through that research were interesting, with roughly 89% of customers saying they expect to end their relationship with a brand if it violates their trust. Trust, price, quality, these are all things that are important for brands these days. I had all of this on my mind when a new announcement crossed my desk earlier this month. Octave, the potential software spin-off from Hexagon AB, unveiled a…
We have reached the point of AI (artificial intelligence) adoption where many are beginning to realize the only way forward is now through education. Many technology providers are now partnering with universities to bring learning and research to the future of work. From the state of Washington to New Jersey, new collaborations are demonstrating how education is becoming a central strategy for responsible AI adoption. What’s Happening in Washington State To get started, let’s travel to the state of Washington. Here we see the University of Washington and Microsoft have announced an expansion to their decades-long partnership, with a focus…
Peggy talks about why trusted brands matter more than ever in the construction and manufacturing industries. She says align yourself with brands that have earned it and support voices that prioritize clarity over clicks. She also discusses: · How many executives believe their companies are highly trusted by customers—and the percentage of consumers that agree. · What trust looks like in 2026—and how companies can achieve it. · The importance of people throughout this conversation. https://peggysmedleyshow.com
Peggy Smedley and Atif Ansar, cofounder, executive chairman, Foresight Works, and professor, University of Oxford, talk about data center delivery and demand and how AI (artificial intelligence) can give the power to build institutional knowledge. He says there is a great degree of fear around AI and what it might do in replacing human jobs, but they should not worry. They also discuss: · Human-centered AI and what a healthy human-AI partnership looks like in complex project environments. · Human barriers such as the failure myopia and the recency bias. · What leaders should start thinking about in terms of…
Why can’t the construction industry find the talent it needs? Peggy Smedley talks with Tasha Jones, Espire Collective, about resilient talent ecosystems, the rise of fractional expertise, what top tier talent really looks like, and how to reshape operations. She says what is happening in construction is a preview of a broader workforce design issue across complex industries as a whole. They also discuss: · If the labor shortage is a pipeline problem or is it a workforce design issue. · How to attract and educate the construction workforce. · How to equip businesses in the construction industry. https://theespirecollective.com/
Last week at ConExpo‑Con/Agg 2026, industry leaders, contractors, technologists, and equipment manufacturers gathered in Las Vegas to discuss the evolution of how the construction jobsite continues to evolve. The focus was on big equipment, as it always is, but this year the conversations around AI (artificial intelligence), connectivity, automation, and workforce development were impossible to ignore. The bottomline is worker‑centric innovations are reshaping how construction gets work done—and much of this progress is built on more than a decade of IoT (Internet of Things)‑enabled equipment, sensors, and connected workflows that quietly laid the foundation for today’s data‑driven capabilities. We are…
Peggy looks back on Black History Month and looks forward to Women’s History Month, citing why it is important for a diverse workplace. She says complex workplaces require diverse thinkers to problem solve, innovate, and lead the next era of work. She also discusses: · How to translate awareness into hiring practices, leadership development, and culture. · The data shows how inclusive workplaces are more successful. · Three practical steps for building collaborative workplaces. https://peggysmedleyshow.com
On Aiglatson, Peggy Smedley and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about obsolescence in this era of AI (artificial intelligence), narrowing in on human vs machine obsolescence. He says the technology industry has always considered humans second and favoring progress over human dignity. They also discuss: · Things that were made obsolete during the Industrial Revolution—and what will happen next in the era of AI. · The Horizon scandal in the United Kingdom—and how it demonstrates how technology can make mistakes. · How cultural narratives spread faster than institutional reforms. https://peggysmedleyshow.com
More than eight decades ago, an image and a name captured the American mind: Rosie the Riveter. As the Rosie the Riveter song filled radio waves, the image filled cities, and conversations filled homes, Rosie quickly came to represent something far bigger than a single person. She became the symbol of an entire generation of women stepping into the industrial workforce when men were fighting overseas. Today, many challenges remain, as evidenced by a recent conversation I had with Kelly Ireland, CEO, CBT. Comparing and contrasting the past to the present provides good fodder for conversation. But, to start, let’s…