The ConTechCrew Attracting Diverse Talent & Solving the Labor Shortage with Tech advancements and AI in Construction – Artem Kuchukov & Tannis Liviniuk
This episode of Construction Technology News features Artem Kuchukov CEO & Co-Founder of Kewazo joining Jeff Sample and Tannis Liviniuk to explore how emerging tech is reshaping the construction landscape. From increasing women’s participation in the industry to reducing labor strain through automation, the discussion spotlights how robotics, AI, and digital processes can enable more flexible, inclusive, and efficient work environments. Tannis shares a standout example of a Berlin-based company leveraging automation to support remote work and family-friendly scheduling, emphasizing the need for modernization to attract a new, tech-fluent workforce.
The episode also gets into the resilience of contech funding, with $194M recently raised across six startups despite a tough economic climate. Jeff and Artem compare today’s tech demands to consumer expectations drawing parallels with services like DoorDash and underscore the importance of data, GIS, and predictive logistics in enabling smarter, safer, and faster job site operations. From startup strategies to on-site innovation, this discussion paints a vivid picture of a rapidly evolving construction future.
Key Learnings
- Automation and robotics are opening doors for women and caregivers to enter and thrive in construction.
- The next generation of workers expects digital tools, not paper and pens on job sites.
- Startup funding is still flowing, with a shift toward practical solutions like HR and payroll.
- Modern job sites must match consumer-level expectations for speed, flexibility, and convenience.
- GIS and spatial tracking are critical for optimizing safety, material movement, and logistics.
- Strong infrastructure for AI and robotics will power the next wave of construction innovation.
Timestamps
[00:44] - Tannis on women in construction and Berlin-based robotic cable-laying company
[06:57] - Work smarter, not harder; tech makes the industry cooler for young professionals
[08:33] - Tech expectations of the next generation entering the trades
[12:02] - Individual startups (BuildOps, Stratus, Lumber, Augmenta, Kaya AI, Triad)
[14:40] - Surviving vs. building real businesses in today’s funding climate
[18:19] - DoorDash analogy: consumer expectations shaping construction logistics
[24:05] - Material logistics: DoorDash-style expectations for tools and components
[29:04] - GIS and spatial awareness needed for smarter on-site decisions
[31:51] - High-angle rescue example: real use case for personnel tracking
[35:06] - Closing remarks
Follow the Guest:
- Guest (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/artem-kuchukov/?originalSubdomain=de
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artem.kuchukov
- Website: https://www.kewazo.com/
- LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/kewazo/
- Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/kewazo/
- Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/kewazorobotics/?hl=en
- Twitter (Company): https://x.com/KewazoRobotics
Follow the Host:
Follow The ConTech Crew:
- Website: https://thecontechcrew.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDRThvRmSpyTZmMWY4EAjg
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew
- Twitter: https://x.com/TheConTechCrew