Digital Builder

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas talks with Power Design CTO Raghu Kutty and Autodesk’s Sid Haksar about how one of the industry’s most innovative specialty contractors is reshaping construction through intentional structure, unified workflows, and forward‑looking tech adoption.Key topics include:Power Design’s unified “one office, one culture” modelTaking control of the supply chain (in‑house switchgear, trucking, warehousing)Field‑first, mobile‑first technology and connected data workflowsPreparing for AI through clean data, platformization, and change‑ready cultureHow deliberate training + standards enable scale and rapid tech transformationDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Research and development teams often work behind the scenes, but they play a major role in shaping where construction is headed next. In this episode, Eric Thomas sits down with Fope Bademosi, Circular Economy and Construction Researcher, and Lorenzo Villaggi, Principal Research Scientist at Autodesk, to explore how Autodesk Research is approaching the future of AI, sustainability, and material reuse.Fope and Lorenzo walk through their latest work on assessing existing buildings, predicting what’s inside walls using multimodal data, and designing low‑carbon assemblies with the help of AI agents. They also explain how early insight into materials, carbon impacts, and code constraints can shift project culture toward circularity.Topics we cover:How Autodesk Research operates 5–10 years ahead of industry needsThe impact of material reuse on carbon reduction and wasteWhat circularity and the circular economy mean in a construction contextA prototype that predicts the materials and systems hidden behind wallsHow multimodal data improves AI’s accuracy on existing buildingsUsing AI agents to design low‑carbon assemblies that merge reclaimed and new materialsThe role of building codes, performance requirements, and safety considerationsWhere the Autodesk Research team is headed next with testing, customer collaborations, and expanded assembly typesThe built environment contributes roughly 40% of global carbon emissions, and most construction waste still ends up in landfills. Fope and Lorenzo share how emerging technologies—combined with new workflows and industry collaboration—can help shift project teams toward reuse, lower‑carbon design, and more informed decision‑making from the start.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Dr. Sarah Buchner, the Founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, brings her unique perspective as a carpenter turned data scientist to discuss AI in construction. She dives into why AI adoption often fails and how to overcome resistance to change. Sarah highlights high-ROI areas for AI, especially in automating white-collar tasks like scheduling and approvals. She explains the role of executives in AI rollout and stresses the importance of vertical AI models tailored for construction. Her insights offer a roadmap for industry leaders to embrace AI effectively.

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Jeevan Kalanithi and Michael Fleischman, co-founders of OpenSpace, to explore how reality capture technology is transforming construction. Recorded live at Autodesk University in Nashville, the conversation traces the journey from early laser scanning to today’s AI-powered visual intelligence platforms—and what that means for builders on the ground.From reducing disputes and project risk to unlocking new possibilities with spatial AI, Jeevan and Michael share insights on how technology is giving teams “superpowers” rather than replacing experience. They also look ahead to the future of AI agents and robotics in construction.We discuss:The “three chapters” of reality capture—and why visual intelligence is the next frontierHow reality capture builds trust, speeds decisions, and lowers riskWhy today’s tech feels more Iron Man than TerminatorThe role of AI and spatial computing in shaping the job siteWhat AI agents could mean for productivity and the labor shortageDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer at Autodesk, shares her insights on the design and make industries. She discusses key findings from the State of Design & Make Report, revealing a significant cloud adoption gap—where 86% aim for cloud capabilities but only 3% have achieved it. Dara emphasizes how technology must address real construction issues and explores strategies to bridge the skills gap, including accessible education and community engagement. She also highlights the role of AI in promoting sustainability by optimizing materials and reducing waste.

Brian Skripac, Director of Virtual Design and Construction at the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), shares insights on the growing design-build trend in construction. He explains how design-build differs from traditional methods, emphasizing collaborative teams and owner engagement. Brian debunks common myths about this delivery strategy and highlights how technology, such as shared models, enhances coordination and reduces risks. He offers practical advice for teams wanting to adopt design-build, suggesting resources that promote collaboration and innovation.

The construction industry faces a growing talent shortage—but innovative partnerships are paving the way forward. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Nick Otto, Chief Technology Officer at Kimley-Horn, and Beth Ihnatolya, Program Director of Civil Engineering and Geomatics Technology at Wake Technical Community College, to explore how collaboration between firms, educators, and technology providers is creating a job-ready pipeline.Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into why these partnerships matter, how they’re reshaping education, and what it takes to prepare the next generation of construction professionals.We discuss:Why firms, colleges, and tech providers must work together to close the skills gapHow internships and apprenticeships go beyond “coffee runs” to deliver real-world experienceThe role of advisory boards in aligning curriculum with industry needsHow Autodesk, Kimley-Horn, and Wake Tech are redesigning courses with hands-on toolsPractical steps for attracting talent and changing construction’s perceptionDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work—but until recently, its capabilities were limited by context. Enter Model Context Protocol (MCP), a new standard that’s changing the game by enabling AI agents to connect directly with external tools and data sources.In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Ben Cochran, Vice President of Engineering at Autodesk, to demystify MCPs and explore what they mean for construction workflows. Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into why MCPs are generating so much buzz and how they’re unlocking new levels of efficiency across the industry.We discuss:What MCPs are and how they differ from traditional APIsWhy MCPs are accelerating AI adoption across connected ecosystemsPractical use cases for MCPs in construction, from BIM validation to design optimizationHow MCPs reduce repetitive tasks and enable outcome-based workflowsWhere to start if you’re curious about MCPs and agentic toolsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Jose Gudiño, Manager of Construction Technology at Swinerton, and Jeff Gerardi, Director of Preconstruction Strategy at Autodesk, delve into the bright future of preconstruction. They discuss the shift from cumbersome spreadsheets to AI-enhanced, integrated workflows. Tools overload is tackled as they advocate for streamlined systems. AI also plays a crucial role in automating tasks and enhancing strategic decision-making. The evolving estimator role is highlighted, emphasizing mentorship and collaboration to spark interest in preconstruction careers.

Sustainability in construction has long been a topic of discussion—but the nature of that conversation is changing. In this episode, host Eric Thomas sits down with Joe Speicher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Autodesk, and Allison Scott, Director of Sustainability Growth and Engagement, to explore how the industry is shifting from aspirational goals to operational strategies.Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into how firms are turning sustainability promises into measurable outcomes, and the role technology plays in enabling that transformation.We discuss:How sustainability has become a data problem—and why that’s a good thingThe importance of connected construction and digital threadsThe environmental impact of AI and how to deploy it responsiblyWhy data centers are at the heart of the sustainability conversationHow Autodesk is helping customers operationalize sustainability across the built environmentAssets mentioned during the episode:A Guide to Alignment in the Built EnvironmentDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.