87 episodes

The Digital Builder podcast is for construction professionals working on the forefront of construction. If you are looking for conversations centered on where the industry is headed, this podcast is for you!​ 
Each episode features an interview with top construction professionals discussing themes related to connected construction and the future of the construction industry.

Digital Builder Autodesk

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 42 Ratings

The Digital Builder podcast is for construction professionals working on the forefront of construction. If you are looking for conversations centered on where the industry is headed, this podcast is for you!​ 
Each episode features an interview with top construction professionals discussing themes related to connected construction and the future of the construction industry.

    How Mass Timber is Changing Construction

    How Mass Timber is Changing Construction

    One of the most exciting ways the AEC industry is continuing to find new ways to increase sustainability and safety is through mass timber construction. That’s why we’ve invited Ariana Cohn, a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab, an organization dedicated to advancing the mass timber’s mainstream adoption.  
    Whether it’s mass timber’s impact on the environment, or its ease of use in prefab and modular construction, there is so much potential for it to be a game changer for the industry.   
    Here are some of the topics you can look forward to in this episode:  
    The top misconceptions about mass timber Timberlab’s approach to its mission A day in the life of a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab The biggest obstacles for mass timber’s mainstream adoption 
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

    • 18 min
    The Talent Gap, Sustainability, and Business Resilience in the AEC Industry

    The Talent Gap, Sustainability, and Business Resilience in the AEC Industry

    This week, Autodesk’s Chief Marketing Officer Dara Treseder, joins Eric at Autodesk University to break down the 2023 State of Design & Make report, including the key focuses of the study, narrative shifts across the AEC industry, and the competitive difference between Digital Transformation and Digital Maturity. 
    In this episode, you will learn: 
    How companies across the AEC industry are experiencing the benefits of converging technologies Why companies focusing on Digital Maturity are maintaining a statistically significant competitive advantage How to engage the next generation of talent Why the future of AEC innovation is going to focus on augmentation in our workforce 
    Assets Mentioned: 
    The 2023 State of Design & Make Report 
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

    • 27 min
    Evaluating the Risks of Using AI in Construction

    Evaluating the Risks of Using AI in Construction

    The rise of Gen AI has put organizations in a race to remain competitive. Those who are successfully integrating AI into their processes are seeing improvements in efficiency and output quality, but that rush to adopt AI carries some significant risks, ones that can spell disaster for companies if they are not careful about their approach to using AI.  
     We've invited May Winfield, Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks, at Buro Happold, to reveal what some of the biggest risks are when using Gen AI, what questions organizations should be asking as they adopt AI, and why sometimes the best way to move quickly is to slow down. 
    We discuss: 
    Identifying AI’s five biggest risk categories in AEC: reliance, confidentiality, copyright, personal data, and ethics Why copyright and content attribution are such tricky issues with AI The limitations of using in-house AI models trained on proprietary data Why client requests are becoming more informed and specific (and why this is good!) 
    Assets Mentioned: 
    Joint Study from the Harvard Business School & Boston Consulting Group  
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

    • 25 min
    How Data Visualization Keeps People Centered in Construction

    How Data Visualization Keeps People Centered in Construction

    One of the most exciting ways that innovation is taking construction to the next level is when companies like DPR Construction implement new and innovative strategies into their culture. We’ve invited Jacob Skrobarczyk, VDC Technology Lead at DPR Construction, to share his experience with data visualization and how he is using it to shift the narrative around Construction careers and changing the way the next generation is learning about Construction.  
    Listen to hear about: 
    Construction’s perception problem  Why data visualization is so impactful How DPR is approaching innovation and the adoption of new technology Keeping people as the center of the industry Improving benefits and apprenticeship programs for craft workers How to better highlight non-linear career paths in Construction 
    Assets Mentioned: 
    Jacob's Presentationhttps://www.dpr.com/company/careers 
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

    • 51 min
    Evaluating Construction Trends for 2024

    Evaluating Construction Trends for 2024

    The landscape of construction is changing, and technology is at the helm. How can your organization stay on top of that changing landscape to remain competitive throughout 2024? 
    Ariel Castillo, Innovation Director at Miller-Davis Company, and Brad Buckles, VP of Technology and Innovation at Charles Perry Partners, Inc., join the show this week to explore the latest trends in construction, from AI and data-driven insights to the importance of tech literacy and collaboration.  
    We discuss: 
    Which trends are real and which are all hype? How 3D modeling, wearables, and robotics are increasing field safety How the latest trends are allowing the industry to move from reactive processes to becoming proactive decision makers. Why modern technology is enabling multigenerational knowledge sharing experiences, giving experienced and new workers opportunities to learn from each other How new technologies can reduce waste and increase sustainable construction practices 
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

    • 58 min
    Construction’s Mental Health Crisis

    Construction’s Mental Health Crisis

    Content warning – this episode and description has some heavy conversation topics including a discussion on suicidal feelings and mental health struggles. 
    Construction has a mental health crisis. According to research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the CDC, the rate of suicide among US construction professionals is five times higher than the number deaths caused by workplace and safety-related accidents. Across the industry, companies cannot afford to talk about safety, innovation, and growth without also addressing the need for real, practical, and immediate solutions to the mental health crisis facing our people.  
    Mark Dyke, Licensed Professional Counselor and Tenured Associate Professor at Ferris State University, joins Eric Thomas during Autodesk University for an intensely practical conversation about the mental health crisis, burnout, and how addressing the mental health crisis can help secure a bright future for the AEC industry. We will share not just why mental health needs to be addressed, but we will also give specific, practical advice for workers to identify and address mental health issues early and effectively. 
    We discuss: 
    How to identify internal and external symptoms of burnout How the leadership culture sets the tone for organization-wide mental health How managers at all levels of an organization can support their team members How Millennials have changed the way we talk about mental health Why mental health and emotional wellbeing need to be top priorities to convince the upcoming generation to join Construction. 
     If you or someone you know are having trouble coping with work-related stress, talk with someone who can help: In the United States, call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline or visit https://988lifeline.org/.  
    For those living outside the United States, you can find local resources here: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.  
    Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

CLConst ,

Good Insight for the Construction Industry

If you work in the construction industry or related fields, Digital Builder should be one of your go to’s for industry news! I also enjoy the insight you get from the guests about their “One Tool”.

Mariann!! ,

Love it!

It’s definitely worth your time if you are trying to stay informed.

joshuamj ,

Just what the industry needs!

Behind the scenes, construction has evolved so much in the last ten years. Grateful to have an opportunity to hear about it from industry folks!

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