Project Flux

Shwetha Balaji and Shreya Datta from McGill and Partners delve into the transformative world of agentic AI. They explore how AI is revolutionizing various industries beyond tech and discuss its practical applications, emphasizing user engagement and feedback. The duo highlights the need for communication skills and trust within teams for effective AI implementation. They tackle the challenges of AI hallucinations in regulated environments and advocate for human adaptability in the evolving job market, pointing out that creativity and diverse skills remain essential.

Dale Sinclair, UK Head of Digital Innovation at WSP, dives into the future of construction by advocating for a manufacturing mindset. He discusses how AI will revolutionize the industry, emphasizing the necessity of cultural shifts and program-based methodologies. Dale highlights the integration of manufacturing principles, the move towards automated design roles, and the exciting potential of robotics to enhance productivity. With a focus on pragmatic solutions, he envisions a future where creativity thrives within constraints, leading to more efficient and customized construction outcomes.

Derek Crager, CEO of Practical AI, shares his insights on transforming access to information through AI. He emphasizes that AI should address specific problems rather than just being a buzzword. Derek discusses the significance of human oversight and the balance between speed and quality in AI responses. He also highlights the unique perspectives that neurodiversity brings to innovation, explaining how AI can empower neurodivergent individuals. The conversation touches on the challenges of voice-first AI and the importance of empathy in technological solutions.

This discussion reveals how AI is reshaping project delivery across multiple sectors, including healthcare and construction. With a projected $2.9 trillion investment in AI data centers by 2029, concerns about significant energy demands and sustainability are raised. The podcast highlights AI's revolutionary role in drug discovery and the urgent need for new antibiotics. Project managers must adapt to these changes, bridging the gap between AI theory and practical application while taking advantage of human-robot collaborations in construction.

Clint Padgett, CEO of Project Success, shares his fascinating journey from a Navy veteran to a leader in project management, overseeing Coca-Cola's Olympic projects since 1996. He highlights the critical elements of project success—budget, time, and quality—while emphasizing the importance of human connection over digital communication. Clint discusses the evolving role of AI in project management and the exciting future potential of robotics in the field. He also touches on the joys of scuba diving, showcasing his pursuit of peace amidst the chaos of work.

The podcast explores the intriguing challenges and advancements in the world of AI, focusing on GPT-5's rollout and its rocky implications. It highlights the 'Silicon Ceiling,' where a stark contrast exists between AI awareness and actual usage among employees. Listeners learn about tools like Claude Opus 4.1, enhancing coding efficiency, and the vital need for AI literacy. Statistics reveal a gap in expectations between employers and employees regarding AI integration, while innovative AI applications shape the future of work and creativity.

Vijay Luthra, managing partner at SEVA, focuses on government reform and the integration of AI in public services. He discusses the challenges posed by legacy systems and cultural hurdles that obstruct progress. Luthra highlights the potential of AI to enhance services while acknowledging concerns about job displacement and ethics, especially in healthcare. He emphasizes the need for long-term planning, effective leadership, and the critical role of human oversight in an AI-driven landscape to ensure optimal outcomes.

Join Pavan Birdi, Senior Associate at Pascall + Watson, as he discusses the strategic integration of AI in architecture, particularly in high-risk sectors like aviation and defense. He emphasizes a deliberate approach, highlighting how AI tools like Omnichat can enhance productivity without sacrificing human judgment. Pavan reveals his success in reducing fee proposal creation time from days to mere hours. The conversation explores how firms can differentiate themselves by implementing AI thoughtfully, balancing innovation with practicality and creativity.

Send us a textThis conversation delves into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, exploring key developments such as President Trump's AI action plan, the implications of resource wars for AI infrastructure, corporate strategies exemplified by Meta's superintelligence ambitions, the emerging crisis of voice fraud, and the significant milestone of AI achieving gold-level performance in mathematics. The discussion also anticipates the launch of GPT-5 and its potential impact on project management and AI integration across various sectors.TakeawaysPresident Trump's AI action plan aims to dominate AI innovation and infrastructure.Resource wars are emerging as a critical factor in AI development.Meta's aggressive strategy in AI reflects a shift towards corporate warfare.Voice fraud poses a serious threat to traditional authentication methods.AI's recent achievements in mathematics signal its growing capabilities.The launch of GPT-5 represents a pivotal moment for AI integration.Project managers must adapt to the changing landscape of AI tools and technologies.The importance of securing AI infrastructure is becoming paramount.AI's rapid advancement necessitates a focus on human ethics and leadership. Support the showSubscribe to the Project Flux Newsletter! All our podcasts commentate on the weeks hottest news brought to you by the Project Flux Newsletter! Get a step ahead on the world of AI and tech, subscribe and get the weekly newsletter to your inbox every Monday! Sign Up to Newsletter Project Flux is independently owned, funded, and operated by its founder. Any external references or features are for community benefit only and do not imply endorsement, control, or ownership.

Send us a text Summary: In this wide-ranging discussion, Angelos Nicolaou shares insights on the future of AI, automation, and change management in construction and tech industries. He stresses the importance of making technology work for users—not the other way around—and calls for reducing "grunt work" to unlock human creativity. The conversation touches on agentic AI, the evolving SaaS landscape, challenges with innovation adoption, and how business development and project teams can better collaborate. A major theme is adoption and integration over buzzwords—real results, not claims. Takeaways: AI Adoption Is Exploding  Change Management Must Evolve  Agentic AI Is Transformational AI Should Empower, Not Replace  Creativity Must Still Start with Humans  True Innovation = Real Results  The SaaS World Is Saturated but Adapting  ROI Must Be Grounded  Innovation Teams Are Vital  Bids & Execution Must Be Synced  Prompt Engineering Is the New Literacy  Stay Human, Stay Present chapters :00:00 Introduction to Change Management in Technology02:38 The Role of AI in Reducing Grunt Work05:17 Agentic AI: The Future of Automation07:43 The Impact of AI on Job Roles10:36 Understanding Agentic Workflows13:12 The Balance of AI and Human Creativity15:49 Navigating AI's Sensitivity and Prompt Engineering22:12 Innovation as a Differentiator in Business Development26:54 The Role of Technology Adoption in Competitive Advantage30:07 The Evolution of SaaS and Vibe Coding34:25 Balancing Innovation Teams and Project Management37:14 The Importance of Presence in a Tech-Driven World40:58 Unleash the Code Intro.wavLINKS AND STUFF  Angelos Nicolaou Support the showSubscribe to the Project Flux Newsletter! All our podcasts commentate on the weeks hottest news brought to you by the Project Flux Newsletter! Get a step ahead on the world of AI and tech, subscribe and get the weekly newsletter to your inbox every Monday! Sign Up to Newsletter Project Flux is independently owned, funded, and operated by its founder. Any external references or features are for community benefit only and do not imply endorsement, control, or ownership.