Preparing the Workforce for the Future of Industrialized Construction

Industrialized construction is gaining momentum, but scaling it takes more than new technology. It requires new ways of working and a workforce equipped with the skills to bridge design, manufacturing, and construction.In this episode of Digital Builder, Eric Thomas sits down with Ryan McMahon, General Manager of Informed Design at Autodesk, and Chad Ray, Provost and Chief Campus Officer at Wake Technical Community College, to explore where industrialized construction is headed and how industry and education can work together to prepare the next generation of talent.In this episode, we discuss:Why industrialized construction is gaining momentum across AECHow repeatability and manufacturing principles can improve productivity, quality, and reduce wasteWhy breaking down silos between design, manufacturing, and construction is criticalHow industry and education can work together to prepare students for emerging careersThe new skills and roles industrialized construction could bring to AECWhat it will take for industrialized construction to move from emerging practice to business as usualWant to dig deeper? Explore Autodesk’s 2026 State of Design & Make: Spotlight on Industrialized Construction to see how organizations are scaling industrialized construction to improve speed, quality, cost certainty, and schedule predictability. Explore the report here: https://www.autodesk.com/design-make/research/industrialized-construction-spotlight-report-2026?utm_source=digital-builder&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ic-spotlightDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

AI in AECO is moving beyond experimentation. The focus is shifting from what the technology could do to how teams can use it to solve real problems, automate work, and deliver better outcomes.In this episode of Digital Builder, recorded live at Autodesk University, host Eric Thomas sits down with Ben Cochran, VP of Developer Enablement at Autodesk, and Peter Madlener, CEO of VIKTOR, to explore what that shift means for the future of engineering and construction.They discuss how AI is lowering the barrier to automation, why verification and trust are critical to moving beyond proof of concept, and how agentic AI could shift workflows from starting with a tool to starting with an outcome. They also look at the human side of this transformation and why domain expertise, systems thinking, judgment, and curiosity may become even more valuable as AI takes on more of the work.In this episode, you’ll learn:How AI is moving from experimentation toward practical, trusted outcomesWhy AI, APIs, and automation are becoming accessible to more people across AECOHow outcome-driven and agentic workflows could reshape the way teams workWhy verification and trust are essential to turning AI demos into real business valueWhich human skills become more important as AI handles more technical and repetitive workDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

What if AI could connect BIM models, schedules, jobsite photos, sensor data, RFIs, and other project information to create a real-time understanding of what's happening on a construction site?On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Chris Bayes, Director of Construction Technology at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, and Fikret Kalay, Director at Autodesk Research, to discuss a collaborative research initiative exploring exactly that. Together, they're investigating how connected project data and AI-driven insights could help teams identify risks earlier, understand the root causes behind issues, and make better decisions throughout the construction lifecycle.In this episode, we discuss:Why construction teams struggle to turn massive amounts of project data into actionable insightsThe importance of connecting data, workflows, and context across the construction lifecycleHow Autodesk Research and Hawaiian Dredging are exploring AI to create a more complete picture of what's happening on the jobsiteHow AI can help teams understand not just what happened, but why it happenedThe opportunity to preserve institutional knowledge and shift from experience-based to data-based decision-makingWhat AI-powered risk management, jobsite simulation, and decision support could look like in the years aheadTune in to learn how this research could help construction teams move beyond collecting data and start turning it into understanding.

AI is only as good as the data behind it. As construction teams generate more information than ever before, the challenge is no longer collecting data. It's making sure that data is accurate, trustworthy, and useful.On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Eddy Krygiel, Senior Manager of AEC Data Model Strategy at Autodesk, to explore why data quality has become one of the most important foundations for successful AI adoption. From the rapid growth of project information to the risks of poor data and the role AI can play in improving it, Eddy shares practical insights on how organizations can turn project information into a long-term business asset.They also discuss why successful AI strategies start with clear outcomes, how owners can identify the data that actually matters, and why perfection shouldn't stand in the way of progress.In this episode, you'll learn:Why more project data doesn't automatically create more valueHow poor-quality data impacts AI outputs and business decisionsPractical ways teams can improve data quality without trying to fix everything at onceWhat separates successful AI initiatives from approaches that introduce new risksHow organizations can build a scalable data strategy focused on long-term valueWhy humans remain essential for providing context, even as AI becomes more capableListen now to hear how construction teams can build trust in their data, unlock more value from AI, and create a stronger foundation for the future of digital project delivery.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Architecture shapes nearly every part of our lives, but what if its true purpose isn't creating buildings, but creating places where people can thrive?In this episode of Digital Builder, Eric Thomas sits down with Katie Swenson, Senior Principal at MASS (Model of Architecture Serving Society), to explore how thoughtful design can support healing, dignity, and long-term community impact. Katie shares why she calls herself a "Home Maker," (with a capital H and a capital M) how MASS helps mission-driven organizations achieve their goals through the built environment, and why success should be measured by outcomes, not just schedules and budgets.In this episode, we discuss:·Why Katie describes herself as a “Home Maker” and what that means for the practice of architecture. ·How architecture affects everyday life and serves as the platform for how people live, work, heal, and learn. ·Why MASS starts with mission and outcomes rather than buildings and construction plans. ·The concept of accompaniment and how long-term partnerships can create lasting impact. ·Lessons from Butaro District Hospital and how design can support both health outcomes and human dignity. ·How MASS measures success through organizational outcomes rather than traditional project metrics. ·Why beauty, nature, and thoughtful design choices play a critical role in healing and wellbeing. ·How projects like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus demonstrate architecture’s ability to expand an organization's ambitions and impact.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Farm-to-table changed how people think about food. Jack Becker and Andrew Linn, principals and co-founders of BLDUS, believe it's time to apply that same mindset to housing.In this episode of Digital Builder, Jack and Andrew explain their firm's "farm-to-shelter" philosophy, which prioritizes healthier, locally sourced, and bio-based building materials. They discuss why material selection matters, how reclaimed materials can shape design, and why architects should think beyond a building's first owner. The conversation also explores changing client expectations, the role of AI in design, and how a small, values-driven practice is challenging conventional approaches to housing.On this episode, we discuss:How BLDUS' "farm-to-shelter" philosophy draws inspiration from the farm-to-table movementWhy many common building materials may have unintended impacts on occupant healthHow reclaimed materials, including salvaged marble and urban timber, find new life in projectsWhy designing for future generations influences material and architectural decisionsHow constraints and strong client perspectives often lead to better design outcomesThe performance, durability, and practicality of bio-based materialsHow AI and increasingly informed clients are changing the architect-client relationshipWhy younger architects are placing greater emphasis on health, sustainability, and hands-on makingDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Technology adoption in construction isn't really about the technology. It's about understanding how people work, solving real problems, and providing tools that teams actually want to use.In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Victoria Jones, Principal Digital Developer at Laing O'Rourke, to discuss what she's learned from a career that spans hands-on trades, engineering, digital delivery, and one of the world's largest infrastructure projects. From technology adoption in the field to AI's future in construction, Victoria shares practical lessons on driving change at scale.In this episode, we discuss:Why successful technology adoption starts with understanding people, not deploying new toolsHow field workarounds can reveal opportunities to improve processes and systemsLessons learned from Hinkley Point C, one of the largest and most complex construction projects in the UKStrategies for driving digital adoption across thousands of project stakeholdersThe importance of trust, data quality, and strong foundations before scaling dashboards or AIWhere AI is delivering value today and how it could reshape planning, validation, and project delivery in the futureWhy construction teams need simple, useful tools that solve real-world problemsHow digital skills are becoming more common across project teams and job sitesDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Construction has no shortage of technology, but the tools that succeed are the ones that help teams make better decisions with less friction. In this episode of Autodesk's Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at DevCon in Amsterdam, host Eric Thomas sits down with Caner Dolas, CEO and co-founder of GAMMA AR, to explore how augmented reality is helping construction teams visualize work before it's built, reduce rework, and bring BIM data directly into the field.Key topics include:What augmented reality is and why it's more than a tool for verifying completed workHow AR gives field teams visibility into future work and potential coordination challengesWhy GAMMA AR focused on tablets and mobile devices instead of headsetsCommon misconceptions about AR accuracy, drift, and alignmentReal-world use cases for AR before concrete pours and during MEP installationThe role of BIM and VDC teams in helping new workflows gain adoption on siteHow construction teams across different regions are approaching AR implementation and data sovereigntyWhy successful technology adoption ultimately comes down to people, not just softwareWhether you're exploring augmented reality for the first time or looking for practical ways to connect BIM data with field operations, this conversation offers a grounded look at where AR delivers value today and what it takes to make new workflows stick.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Trust doesn't always take center stage in conversations about construction and technology, but it's foundational to how projects, teams, and businesses operate. At DevCon in Amsterdam, host Eric Thomas sat down with Autodesk’s Chief Trust Officer Sebastian Goodwin to discuss why trust matters more than ever in the age of AI, how organizations can build and measure it, and what leaders should do when trust is put to the test.In this episode, we discuss:What a Chief Trust Officer does and why trust extends beyond cybersecurity, governance, and complianceWhy trust is a key driver of innovation, performance, and stronger customer relationshipsThe four factors of trust: capability, reliability, transparency, and humanityHow Autodesk's AI transparency cards helped reduce hesitation around AI adoptionWhy construction leaders are increasingly focused on data longevity, stewardship, and responsible AI useHow transparency and communication help organizations navigate uncertainty and build confidence in new technologiesWhat leaders should do when mistakes happen and how trust is often built during challenging momentsWhy customer outcomes should remain the north star when making difficult decisions

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Arnoud van der Heijden, Project Manager Digital at BAM Netherlands, and Jelle Schweigmann, BIM Manager at Royal Heijmans, to discuss the NL5, a coalition of the five largest construction companies in the Netherlands. Together, they share how the group is tackling industry-wide challenges around digital transformation, sustainability, standardization, and emerging technologies by focusing on problems that no single company can solve alone.On this episode, we discuss:How the NL5 was formed after construction leaders realized they were facing many of the same challenges around technology adoption and digital transformationWhy collaboration gives contractors a stronger collective voice when working with technology vendors and industry partnersHow the group prioritizes initiatives by identifying common challenges across thousands of employees and multiple organizationsThe role of sustainability, standardization, and data interoperability in the future of constructionHow the NL5 helped accelerate product improvements during the industry's transition from BIM 360 to Autodesk Construction CloudWhy emerging technologies like robotics may require industry-wide collaboration to address regulatory and adoption challengesHow the group balances competition with collaboration by focusing on shared technical challenges instead of commercial interestsAdvice for organizations interested in building similar industry coalitions in their own regions or marketsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.