The ConTechCrew

EPISODE 419: Have you ever faced costly errors in your construction projects? Imagine if you could prevent them before they even happen.In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I sit down with Shir Abecasis, an Israeli military intelligence and cybersecurity expert turned CEO of FIRMUS.FIRMUS is an AI-driven pre-construction tool that analyzes PDF construction drawings and identifies potential design-related risks and errors at various project development stages.Today, Shir discusses how FIRMUS is transforming construction risk management with its AI technology, the challenges her team has overcome in developing an innovative AI solution, and the future of AI in construction.Curious to know more?Tune in now!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Shir’s transition from cybersecurity to construction (02:11)What is FIRMUS and how it works (06:14)Importance of pre-construction (09:00)Building trust in AI technology (13:13)The Leapfrog Effect of AI in construction (19:20)What the future looks like for FIRMUS (23:19)The reality of using data and AI technology (26:49)Construction technology news of the week (37:07)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Connect with Shir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shir-a-303088138/Visit FIRMUS for more information: https://firmus.ai/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️‘Carbon-Free’ Cement Is Now A Step Closerhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewinkless/2024/05/31/carbon-free-cement-is-now-a-step-closer/➡️America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2024https://www.brimstone.com/➡️Construction Technology: Imagine It Just Worked… Seriously!https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/construction-technology-imagine-just-worked-seriously-chris-ovens-baqvc/➡️Corning shares pop 12% as AI boom drives stronger-than-expected demand for equipmenthttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/08/corning-stock-up-12percent-as-ai-boom-drives-stronger-than-expected-demand.html— The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 418: How can the construction industry become safer and more efficient?When we talk about construction safety, the strict implementation of hard hats on job sites is the first thing that comes to mind. However, what’s happening under that hard hat is equally important.In this week’s episode, my co-host Rob McKinney and I sit down with Sebastien de Ghellinck, founder and CEO of SkillSignal, to uncover the future of construction safety and well-being.Sebastien, along with his co-founder Vivian, started SkillSignal–an all-in-one safety and compliance mobile platform that digitizes all your critical daily construction processes.With a deep background in both construction and finance, Sebastien shares invaluable insights into creating safer job sites through innovative digital tools. He discusses the importance of combining physical safety measures with mental well-being strategies on job sites. We also talk about the role of AI in making these sites safer, the Personal Protective Mindset (PPM) concept and its impact on safety, the challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers in construction, and more.Tune in now and discover how you can make your job sites safer and more efficient!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Sebastien’s ode to his grandfather (01:34)From finance to construction (06:35)Benefits in digitizing construction workflows (11:35)Combining physical safety with well-being (15:14)How do we make construction appealing (23:06)Breaking construction barriers with technology (29:24)Why prioritize employee well-being (33:41)Challenges in digitizing workflows (36:52)Construction technology news of the week (40:26)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew Listen to our interview with Cal Beyer: https://thecontechcrew.com/416-its-time-to-talk-about-the-opioid-crisis-mental-health-in-construction-cal-beyer— Follow Sebastien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdeghell/Sebastien’s collaboration with Princeton University: https://wellbeing.construction/Visit SkillSignal for more information: https://www.skillsignal.com/— The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 417: We often view technology as a quick-fix solution, but it isn’t. Take AI, for example. Many companies rush to innovate and release AI-driven products to gain market advantage. However, this often overlooks the ethical and practical issues that should’ve been addressed first. This is exactly what our guest will unpack today.Meet Ritwik Batabyal. Ritwik is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Mastek, a global IT company specializing in cloud and data migrations.With over 30 years of experience, Ritwik shares his insights on the evolution of AI and data modernization. He discusses the importance of addressing ethical issues such as biases in AI algorithms and data privacy.Additionally, we talk about the role of leaders in implementing AI, how to navigate job loss fears and task automation, and more.Let’s get started!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Ritwik Batabyal from Mastek (00:46)The evolution of AI and data modernization (08:21)Exposing the ethical roadblocks and biases in AI (17:11)The battle for privacy and accountability (22:12)Navigating job loss fears and trust in an AI-driven construction (25:02)The future of jobs and tasks automation (28:32)Leaderships’s role in AI integration (35:23)Keep up with Ritwik (42:05)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Ritwik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritwikbatabyal/Visit Mastek’s website for more information: https://www.mastek.com/— The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 416: The construction industry has the highest rate of overdose deaths among major sectors. Yet, there’s still a stigma in tackling this opioid crisis. Thankfully, this week’s guest and his team have done the groundwork for creating healthier and safer construction job sites.To shed light on these critical issues, join me and my co-host, Nathan Wood, as we interview Cal Beyer, Senior Director of the SAFE Project.Today, we’ll talk about the pressing issues of mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use disorders in construction.This conversation highlights the progress made in holistic health approaches that connect physical, mental, and emotional well-being to create safer and more productive workplaces.We talk about the pivotal role of Naloxone on job sites, the impact of peer-to-peer support networks in addressing substance abuse in the workplace, and more.Don’t miss this special Pause for the Cause episode.Tune in now!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Cal’s journey and impact in the construction industry (02:17)From human risk management to partnering with SAFE Project (05:10)The correlation between substance abuse and mental health (09:25)Importance of peer-to-peer support networks (11:23)The role of self-care in workplace productivity (19:13)Work-life balance vs. work-life harmony (25:01)SAFE Project’s comprehensive approach (28:21)The impact of addressing substance abuse in the workplace (40:26)Keep up with Cal and his works (48:41)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew Watch Episode 412 with Eitan Vesely: https://thecontechcrew.com/412-how-ai-and-data-analytics-can-help-manage-work-stress-eitan-vesely— Follow Cal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinbeyer/Check out the SAFE Project for more: https://www.safeproject.us/— The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 415: Have you ever wondered why some construction projects take so long and cost so much?Join me as I sit down with the incredible Maria Davidson, CEO and founder of Kojo, a construction technology platform built for trade contractors to manage procurement, tools, and warehouse support.Today, Maria and I talk about the critical role of materials management in construction delays and cost overruns. She shares how her company’s platform can streamline materials management for a transparent and more efficient process. Plus, we also discuss overcoming resistance to technology in the trades and the importance of data-driven solutions.Curious to know more?Let’s jump in!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Maria Davidson’s transition to construction tech (00:39)Focusing on trades rather than general contractors (02:34)Debunking myths about trades’ resistance to technology (07:15)Impact of materials management on project timelines (12:53)The importance of integrating workflows in construction (18:20)Why having a strong tech implementation strategy is crucial (24:55)Solving the 3 biggest problems in construction (30:17)Warehouse management and inventory tracking (36:33)Advantage of having accessible data (42:48)What’s next for Kojo? (52:49)Construction technology news of the week (57:23)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Maria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-rioumine-davidson-801a1058/Check out Kojo for more information: https://www.usekojo.com/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ WELL building standard hits 5B-square-foot milestone | Facilities Divehttps://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/international-well-building-institute-standard-adoption-milestone-iaq/709511/➡️ Tutor Perini sees shift to owner financing on megaprojects | Construction Divehttps://www.constructiondive.com/news/tutor-perini-owner-financing-megaprojects-earnings/714511/➡️ The largest commercial construction starts of April 2024https://www.constructiondive.com/news/april-largest-commercial-construction-starts/717146/➡️ Google using AI to Deprioritize AI generated Contenthttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/katie-zeppieri-1b58983b_googlealgorithm-seotips-brandingtips-activity-7201620621535961089-Mzx1/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 414: With today’s information right at our fingertips, a huge portion of the construction industry is still heavily reliant on siloed data. Could this be the hidden productivity killer costing the industry millions of dollars?In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Bob Salaj,  Director of Customer Advisory Team at Quickbase, to explore the intersection of Lean principles and digital transformation in construction.With his extensive experience across various industries, Bob shares his journey and how he discovered the power of low-code/no-code software solutions.We talk about the importance of democratizing data and standardizing processes to reduce inefficiencies and improve decision-making in the industry.Curious to know more?Tune in now and learn how construction companies can leverage Lean techniques and digital tools to improve productivity and efficiency.Let’s jump right in!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Bob Salaj (01:59)Challenges coming to construction from manufacturing (04:17)Importance of standardization in construction (06:13)Democratizing data and improving accessibility (11:03)Poka-yoke and Gemba walk explained (12:40)Identifying inefficiencies through Gemba walks (17:50)The “gray work” concept in construction (21:16)Impact of digital workflows on productivity (30:38)Construction technology news of the week (47:25)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Bob Salaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-salaj-4585a79b/The Gray Work Index: https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024Check out Quickbase for more information: https://www.quickbase.com/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ Breaking the Silence: LLMs Docode Enigmatic World of Animal Languagehttps://analyticsindiamag.com/breaking-the-silence-llms-docode-animal-language/➡️ Lendlease to exit international construction, developmenthttps://www.constructiondive.com/news/lendlease-exits-international-construction-strategy/717201/➡️ Why technology has not transformed buildinghttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8vzzjqyz5qo➡️ Integrated Workflows: A Must In The Digital Transformation Of The AEC Industry- Salla Eckhardthttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/integrated-workflows-must-digital-transformation-aec-salla-eckhardt-5ywyc/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 413: The construction industry has been using prefabrication for years, but there’s always been a bit of a disconnect.Typically, prefabrication doesn’t start until the bid is awarded to the fabricators. But what if there’s a way to speed up the process while building a sustainable future? In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I speak with Michael Gustafson, vice president of strategy and business development at Qnect.As a structural engineer with extensive experience working with big names in the construction tech world like Trimble and Autodesk, Michael saw an opportunity to improve the steel design workflow with Qnect.Qnect offers both software and services for optimizing steel designs, aiming to remove inefficiencies and reduce material and process waste.Today, Michael talks about how integrating AI in construction can automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity. He also shares insights into the global engineering practices and the growing trend of prefabrication, particularly in structural steel, to reduce uncertainties and speed up project delivery, what Qnect brings to the table, and more.Let’s dive in!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Michael’s transition to the construction tech world (02:25) The importance of steel in construction (04:22)Qnect’s core mission and goals (07:46)How Qnect is helping detailers (12:37)Role of AI in enhancing construction processes (14:02) Benefits of using Qnect for owners (22:49)Balancing cost and carbon ion construction design (27:00)What’s next for Qnect? (29:54)Keep up with Michael (36:32)Construction technology news of the week (37:07)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gustafson-2047786/Visit Qnect for more information: https://www.qnect.com/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announcedhttps://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024➡️Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtracthttps://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownershiphttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 412: Burnout has long been a cause of higher suicidal rates in the construction industry. But what if there’s a way to detect burnout before anything worse happens?Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Eitan Vesely, a former engineer turned successful founder.Today, we’ll talk about the world of employee well-being and how Eitan’s Watercooler, an AI-powered tool, helps companies detect and combat burnout in their employees. We’ll explore the balance needed in managerial interactions, the effectiveness of well-being programs, and their relevance to the high-demanding construction industry.Tune in now and learn how you can proactively address burnout and foster healthier construction job sites.Let’s jump in!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Eitan Vesely and how he started Watercooler (02:43)How Watercooler gathers and uses data (07:26)Addressing privacy and ethical concerns during data-gathering (15:29)Leveraging AI to stop employee burnout (21:14)Watercooler vs. other personality test platforms (24:31)Real-world applications and success stories (26:35)How burnout is influenced by work demands and inflexibility (29:55)The balance between over and under management (32:13)Combining data science and tech with psychology (40:28)Final thoughts (50:10)Construction technology news of the week (51:13)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Eitan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitan-vesely/Check out Watercooler AI for more: https://www.watercooler.ai/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownershiphttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/➡️ Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtracthttps://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announcedhttps://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024➡️ AI and ROI: An Either/Or Scenario?https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-roi-eitheror-scenario-robert-ioanna-w7gge/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 411: Imagine having a tool that makes it easier for construction workers at all levels to find the information they need. Builder Answers is designed to do just that!Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Marcus Kirkwood, founder of Builder Answers.Builder Answers is an online tool that provides immediate, accessible answers to workers on-site. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap and modernize the construction industry using AI.Today, Marcus discusses the significant stigma in the industry and the importance of integrating modern technology into daily workflows. We talk about the future of construction tools, highlighting the need for both software and hardware developments to meet the industry’s needs, how Builder Answers is different from other AI tools and much more.Ready to revolutionize your construction site?Tune in now to learn how innovative tools like Builder Answers can transform the industry and help overcome its current challenges!Let’s jump right in!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Marcus Kirkwood (01:31)Challenges in integrating technology in construction (02:52)Importance of exposing students to construction (06:31)How Builder Answers provides quick solutions to workers on-site (16:24)The need for continuous improvement in construction (24:03)Builder Answers compared to other AI tools (27:26)The role of physical tools and hardware in modernizing construction (31:45)Future plans for Builder Answers and its potential global impact (44:53)Keep up with Marcus and Builder Answers (48:29)Construction technology news of the week (49:31)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-kirkwood-77a46190/Visit Builder Answers for more information: https://builderanswers.com/Got questions? Email Marcus here: marcus@builderanswers.com— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ FTC's noncompete ban could reshape the US workplacehttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/ftcs-noncompete-ban-could-reshape-the-us-workplace-140012480.html➡️ Why This Iconic New York Building Is Empty? One Times Squarehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1QJjH0GVCY➡️ Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technologies and Fabrication, SMACNAhttps://digital.phcnews.com/PHC-News-May-2024/120/➡️ Continuum Advisory Group- Construction Spending Indexhttps://www.continuumag.com/construction-spending-updates/may-2024-construction-spending-updates/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode! 

EPISODE 410: Is digital twinning completely achievable in construction?In this week’s episode, my co-host Jacob D’Albora and I have the pleasure of speaking with Alexis McGuffin, National Director of Digital Delivery at Suffolk Construction.With a solid background in software engineering and nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, Alexis shares how digital twin is reshaping the industry.She discusses the critical role of trust and collaboration in achieving successful construction projects, how Suffolk Construction leverages predictive analytics and reality captures, and more.Curious to know how a data-driven builder platform can improve construction outcomes?Tune in now!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Alexis McGuffin (01:18)Importance of technology in advancing construction operations (02:01)Challenges in collaboration and trust in the industry (04:22)Suffolk Construction’s approach to overcoming industry challenges (09:22)Digital twins and their role in construction (14:26)A comprehensive look at digital twins in construction (22:32)How important are transparency and predictive analytics (28:29)Integrating AI and data for better design and construction outcomes (36:41)The tech-enabled master builder platform (43:21)Construction technology news of the week (50:24)Additional Resources:Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Alexis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-mcguffin/Visit Suffolk Construction for more: https://www.suffolk.com/— See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️➡️ Ford, GM, and Honda Collaborate on Standardized Scope 3 Emissions Reporthttps://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ford-gm-honda-on-scope-3-emissions-reporting-automotive-climate-action/713543➡️ dTwin – Nemetschek Group and Hexagonhttps://www.nemetschek.com/en/news-media/nemetschek-group-partners-hexagon➡️ Tech Companies Find the Edge of the Internethttps://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2024/04/07/tech-companies-find-the-edge-of-the-internet➡️ Mike Rowe, Chips Act, and morehttps://app.criticalmention.com/app/—The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!