In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Dr. Sarah Buchner, founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, for a grounded, no-nonsense conversation about how construction teams can actually start using AI today. Recorded live at Autodesk University, the discussion moves past the high-level hype and into the real workflows where AI is already driving change—from automating white‑collar tasks to reducing rework and helping teams navigate labor shortages.

Drawing from her background as a carpenter, project leader, data scientist, and founder, Sarah breaks down what adoption looks like in the field, how to overcome resistance, and why embracing AI early is quickly becoming a competitive advantage.

We discuss:

Why AI adoption struggles—and what actually helps teams get over the hump
The biggest areas of ROI for AI today, especially in white‑collar construction workflows
How autonomous AI agents differ from tools like ChatGPT
The role of executives, legal, and IT in successful AI rollout
Why vertical, construction‑trained AI models matter
How AI can reduce rework, ease labor shortages, and let builders focus on building

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Arthur Brand (10 augustus 2020)