Digital Builder

Industrialized construction is gaining momentum, but scaling it takes more than new technology. It requires new ways of working and a workforce equipped with the skills to bridge design, manufacturing, and construction.

In this episode of Digital Builder, Eric Thomas sits down with Ryan McMahon, General Manager of Informed Design at Autodesk, and Chad Ray, Provost and Chief Campus Officer at Wake Technical Community College, to explore where industrialized construction is headed and how industry and education can work together to prepare the next generation of talent.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why industrialized construction is gaining momentum across AEC
• How repeatability and manufacturing principles can improve productivity, quality, and reduce waste
• Why breaking down silos between design, manufacturing, and construction is critical
• How industry and education can work together to prepare students for emerging careers
• The new skills and roles industrialized construction could bring to AEC
• What it will take for industrialized construction to move from emerging practice to business as usual

Want to dig deeper? Explore Autodesk’s 2026 State of Design & Make: Spotlight on Industrialized Construction to see how organizations are scaling industrialized construction to improve speed, quality, cost certainty, and schedule predictability. Explore the report here: https://www.autodesk.com/design-make/research/industrialized-construction-spotlight-report-2026

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

AI in AECO is moving beyond experimentation. The focus is shifting from what the technology could do to how teams can use it to solve real problems, automate work, and deliver better outcomes.

In this episode of Digital Builder, recorded live at Autodesk University, host Eric Thomas sits down with Ben Cochran, VP of Developer Enablement at Autodesk, and Peter Madlener, CEO of VIKTOR, to explore what that shift means for the future of engineering and construction.

They discuss how AI is lowering the barrier to automation, why verification and trust are critical to moving beyond proof of concept, and how agentic AI could shift workflows from starting with a tool to starting with an outcome. They also look at the human side of this transformation and why domain expertise, systems thinking, judgment, and curiosity may become even more valuable as AI takes on more of the work.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How AI is moving from experimentation toward practical, trusted outcomes
• Why AI, APIs, and automation are becoming accessible to more people across AECO
• How outcome-driven and agentic workflows could reshape the way teams work
• Why verification and trust are essential to turning AI demos into real business value
• Which human skills become more important as AI handles more technical and repetitive work

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

What if AI could connect BIM models, schedules, jobsite photos, sensor data, RFIs, and other project information to create a real-time understanding of what's happening on a construction site?

On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Chris Bayes, Director of Construction Technology at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, and Fikret Kalay, Director at Autodesk Research, to discuss a collaborative research initiative exploring exactly that. Together, they're investigating how connected project data and AI-driven insights could help teams identify risks earlier, understand the root causes behind issues, and make better decisions throughout the construction lifecycle.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why construction teams struggle to turn massive amounts of project data into actionable insights
• The importance of connecting data, workflows, and context across the construction lifecycle
• How Autodesk Research and Hawaiian Dredging are exploring AI to create a more complete picture of what's happening on the jobsite
• How AI can help teams understand not just what happened, but why it happened
• The opportunity to preserve institutional knowledge and shift from experience-based to data-based decision-making
• What AI-powered risk management, jobsite simulation, and decision support could look like in the years ahead

Tune in to learn how this research could help construction teams move beyond collecting data and start turning it into understanding.

AI is only as good as the data behind it. As construction teams generate more information than ever before, the challenge is no longer collecting data. It's making sure that data is accurate, trustworthy, and useful.

On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Eddy Krygiel, Senior Manager of AEC Data Model Strategy at Autodesk, to explore why data quality has become one of the most important foundations for successful AI adoption. From the rapid growth of project information to the risks of poor data and the role AI can play in improving it, Eddy shares practical insights on how organizations can turn project information into a long-term business asset.

They also discuss why successful AI strategies start with clear outcomes, how owners can identify the data that actually matters, and why perfection shouldn't stand in the way of progress.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why more project data doesn't automatically create more value
• How poor-quality data impacts AI outputs and business decisions
• Practical ways teams can improve data quality without trying to fix everything at once
• What separates successful AI initiatives from approaches that introduce new risks
• How organizations can build a scalable data strategy focused on long-term value
• Why humans remain essential for providing context, even as AI becomes more capable

Listen now to hear how construction teams can build trust in their data, unlock more value from AI, and create a stronger foundation for the future of digital project delivery.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Architecture shapes nearly every part of our lives, but what if its true purpose isn't creating buildings, but creating places where people can thrive?

In this episode of Digital Builder, Eric Thomas sits down with Katie Swenson, Senior Principal at MASS (Model of Architecture Serving Society), to explore how thoughtful design can support healing, dignity, and long-term community impact. Katie shares why she calls herself a "Home Maker," (with a capital H and a capital M) how MASS helps mission-driven organizations achieve their goals through the built environment, and why success should be measured by outcomes, not just schedules and budgets.

In this episode, we discuss:

·Why Katie describes herself as a “Home Maker” and what that means for the practice of architecture.

·How architecture affects everyday life and serves as the platform for how people live, work, heal, and learn.

·Why MASS starts with mission and outcomes rather than buildings and construction plans.

·The concept of accompaniment and how long-term partnerships can create lasting impact.

·Lessons from Butaro District Hospital and how design can support both health outcomes and human dignity.

·How MASS measures success through organizational outcomes rather than traditional project metrics.

·Why beauty, nature, and thoughtful design choices play a critical role in healing and wellbeing.

·How projects like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus demonstrate architecture’s ability to expand an organization's ambitions and impact.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Farm-to-table changed how people think about food. Jack Becker and Andrew Linn, principals and co-founders of BLDUS, believe it's time to apply that same mindset to housing.

In this episode of Digital Builder, Jack and Andrew explain their firm's "farm-to-shelter" philosophy, which prioritizes healthier, locally sourced, and bio-based building materials. They discuss why material selection matters, how reclaimed materials can shape design, and why architects should think beyond a building's first owner. The conversation also explores changing client expectations, the role of AI in design, and how a small, values-driven practice is challenging conventional approaches to housing.

On this episode, we discuss:

• How BLDUS' "farm-to-shelter" philosophy draws inspiration from the farm-to-table movement
• Why many common building materials may have unintended impacts on occupant health
• How reclaimed materials, including salvaged marble and urban timber, find new life in projects
• Why designing for future generations influences material and architectural decisions
• How constraints and strong client perspectives often lead to better design outcomes
• The performance, durability, and practicality of bio-based materials
• How AI and increasingly informed clients are changing the architect-client relationship
• Why younger architects are placing greater emphasis on health, sustainability, and hands-on making

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Technology adoption in construction isn't really about the technology. It's about understanding how people work, solving real problems, and providing tools that teams actually want to use.

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Victoria Jones, Principal Digital Developer at Laing O'Rourke, to discuss what she's learned from a career that spans hands-on trades, engineering, digital delivery, and one of the world's largest infrastructure projects. From technology adoption in the field to AI's future in construction, Victoria shares practical lessons on driving change at scale.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why successful technology adoption starts with understanding people, not deploying new tools
• How field workarounds can reveal opportunities to improve processes and systems
• Lessons learned from Hinkley Point C, one of the largest and most complex construction projects in the UK
• Strategies for driving digital adoption across thousands of project stakeholders
• The importance of trust, data quality, and strong foundations before scaling dashboards or AI
• Where AI is delivering value today and how it could reshape planning, validation, and project delivery in the future
• Why construction teams need simple, useful tools that solve real-world problems
• How digital skills are becoming more common across project teams and job sites

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Construction has no shortage of technology, but the tools that succeed are the ones that help teams make better decisions with less friction. In this episode of Autodesk's Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at DevCon in Amsterdam, host Eric Thomas sits down with Caner Dolas, CEO and co-founder of GAMMA AR, to explore how augmented reality is helping construction teams visualize work before it's built, reduce rework, and bring BIM data directly into the field.

Key topics include:

• What augmented reality is and why it's more than a tool for verifying completed work
• How AR gives field teams visibility into future work and potential coordination challenges
• Why GAMMA AR focused on tablets and mobile devices instead of headsets
• Common misconceptions about AR accuracy, drift, and alignment
• Real-world use cases for AR before concrete pours and during MEP installation
• The role of BIM and VDC teams in helping new workflows gain adoption on site
• How construction teams across different regions are approaching AR implementation and data sovereignty
• Why successful technology adoption ultimately comes down to people, not just software

Whether you're exploring augmented reality for the first time or looking for practical ways to connect BIM data with field operations, this conversation offers a grounded look at where AR delivers value today and what it takes to make new workflows stick.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Trust doesn't always take center stage in conversations about construction and technology, but it's foundational to how projects, teams, and businesses operate. At DevCon in Amsterdam, host Eric Thomas sat down with Autodesk’s Chief Trust Officer Sebastian Goodwin to discuss why trust matters more than ever in the age of AI, how organizations can build and measure it, and what leaders should do when trust is put to the test.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a Chief Trust Officer does and why trust extends beyond cybersecurity, governance, and compliance
• Why trust is a key driver of innovation, performance, and stronger customer relationships
• The four factors of trust: capability, reliability, transparency, and humanity
• How Autodesk's AI transparency cards helped reduce hesitation around AI adoption
• Why construction leaders are increasingly focused on data longevity, stewardship, and responsible AI use
• How transparency and communication help organizations navigate uncertainty and build confidence in new technologies
• What leaders should do when mistakes happen and how trust is often built during challenging moments
• Why customer outcomes should remain the north star when making difficult decisions

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Arnoud van der Heijden, Project Manager Digital at BAM Netherlands, and Jelle Schweigmann, BIM Manager at Royal Heijmans, to discuss the NL5, a coalition of the five largest construction companies in the Netherlands. Together, they share how the group is tackling industry-wide challenges around digital transformation, sustainability, standardization, and emerging technologies by focusing on problems that no single company can solve alone.

On this episode, we discuss:

• How the NL5 was formed after construction leaders realized they were facing many of the same challenges around technology adoption and digital transformation
• Why collaboration gives contractors a stronger collective voice when working with technology vendors and industry partners
• How the group prioritizes initiatives by identifying common challenges across thousands of employees and multiple organizations
• The role of sustainability, standardization, and data interoperability in the future of construction
• How the NL5 helped accelerate product improvements during the industry's transition from BIM 360 to Autodesk Construction Cloud
• Why emerging technologies like robotics may require industry-wide collaboration to address regulatory and adoption challenges
• How the group balances competition with collaboration by focusing on shared technical challenges instead of commercial interests
• Advice for organizations interested in building similar industry coalitions in their own regions or markets

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Construction teams collect an enormous amount of information every day, but much of that data never makes its way into decisions that improve project outcomes. This is especially true for materials and waste data, which is often scattered across paper slips, photos, spreadsheets, and disconnected systems.

Recorded live at DevCon in Amsterdam, this episode of Digital Builder features Brittany Harris, CEO and Co-founder of Qualis Flow, also known as Qflow, and Marta Bouchard, Director of Sustainability Solutions at Autodesk. Together, they discuss how capturing jobsite data at the source can help teams reduce rework, improve accountability, support sustainability reporting, and create more valuable assets long after construction is complete.

The conversation explores why material data so often falls through the cracks, how owners can set clearer expectations around performance and documentation, and what becomes possible when trusted project data supports digital twins, circular economy initiatives, and more informed decision-making. Brittany and Marta also discuss the practical role of AI in helping teams access and evaluate information more efficiently, while still relying on human expertise, curiosity, and judgment.

Key Topics Covered

• Why materials and waste data often gets trapped in paper slips, photos, spreadsheets, and disconnected systems
• How Qflow helps teams capture jobsite data at the source and turn it into usable information
• Why better material tracking can reduce rework, improve compliance, and support invoice verification
• The growing burden of sustainability, safety, carbon, and regulatory reporting on project teams
• Why owners play a critical role in setting expectations for data, performance, sustainability, and handover
• How trusted materials data can support digital twins, adaptive reuse, circular economy efforts, and long-term asset value

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Construction teams have more technology options than ever, but making those tools useful in day-to-day project work is still a major challenge.

In this episode of Digital Builder, recorded live at DevCon in the Netherlands, host Eric Thomas speaks with Josha van Reij, Product Manager of Data & AI at Arcadis, about how his team connects emerging technology with real project needs.

Josha shares how Arcadis approaches AI, standardization, automation, and software decisions by starting with business challenges rather than tools. He explains why effective AI assistants depend on quality data, project context, and connected systems—and why project teams are more open to change when new technology solves problems they already understand.

The conversation also explores how standardization can reduce rework, support better data, and create a stronger foundation for AI, as well as how Arcadis evaluates whether to buy, customize, or build software.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why AI and automation efforts should start with real project challenges, not technology trends
• How Arcadis builds AI assistants using connected data, project context, and internal standards
• Why standardization is essential for better data, stronger workflows, and more useful AI
• How listening to project teams can reduce resistance and improve technology adoption
• What to consider when deciding whether to buy, customize, or build software

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Extended reality (XR)—including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)—is no longer just a visualization tool. In this episode, Gary Cowan, Head of Digital Construction at Kane Group, explains how his team is using immersive technology to solve real problems across design, coordination, and field execution.

Gary shares how a dense, highly prefabricated project pushed his team to adopt VR for design reviews—and how that early experiment evolved into a full XR technology stack. Today, Kane Group uses immersive tools to improve collaboration, reduce rework, and connect the model to what’s happening on site in real time.

The conversation also explores what it actually feels like to step into a model, why detail and data quality matter, and how XR is changing the way teams make decisions before anything gets built.

In this episode:

• How XR helps teams catch missed details and close the gap between design intent and field reality
• What immersive design reviews look like in practice—and why they speed up coordination
• How Kane Group connects VR (design) and AR (field) to create a continuous model-to-field feedback loop
• Why XR adoption depends on workflows, data quality, and collaboration—not just the technology

Gary also looks ahead at where XR is going next, including how AI could transform immersive coordination and decision-making.

This episode offers a practical look at how XR is being used today—and what it could enable in the near future.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

At Autodesk’s Digital Builder podcast, we often explore how technology is shaping construction—but this episode focuses just as much on the people and coordination behind the work.

In this episode, Eric Thomas sits down with Woody Benisek-Beal, Director of Construction at The Kraft Group, to talk about what it takes to build and renovate inside Gillette Stadium while it continues to host games, concerts, and events year-round. With no downtime, every project depends on constant communication across teams to keep operations running and the fan experience intact.

The conversation also touches on how The Kraft Group is evolving its use of technology—from model-based workflows to a growing digital twin—and how visualization tools are helping bridge the gap between design intent and real-world experience.

This episode offers a practical look at how construction teams keep projects moving while everything else around them keeps moving too.

On this episode:

• What it takes to manage construction in a venue that never shuts down
• How teams coordinate across operations, security, and events to avoid disruptions
• Why communication is critical when balancing construction and live experiences
• How models, visualization tools, and virtual reality help align stakeholders
• The role of centralized platforms and digital twins in improving access to information

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Autodesk DevCon continues to bring together a global community of developers, builders, and technologists—and in 2026, the energy around what’s possible felt stronger than ever.

Live from Amsterdam, Eric Thomas sits down with Ben Cochran, Vice President of Engineering at Autodesk, to break down the biggest themes and announcements from this year’s event—and what they signal for the future of design and construction workflows.

They explore how DevCon has grown into a thriving ecosystem, why the developer community plays such a critical role, and how emerging technologies like agentic AI are opening up new ways for teams to connect data, streamline workflows, and make faster, more informed decisions.

On this episode, we cover:

• The evolution of DevCon and the role of the developer community
• Key announcements from DevCon 2026, including news about Autodesk Marketplace, Autodesk Assistant, and MCPs
• How agentic AI is reshaping workflows and accelerating experimentation
• Why the industry is moving from hesitation to active adoption of AI
• What it takes to navigate rapid change—and in Ben’s eyes, why curiosity and grit really matter

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Construction innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and neither does funding that innovation. In this episode, Eric sits down with Darren Bechtel, Founder and Managing Director of Brick & Mortar Ventures, to unpack how investors think about risk, what makes construction tech actually stick in the field, and where the market may be headed next.

Recorded live from San Francisco, this conversation connects the dots between founders, project teams, and capital—plus the practical realities that separate a polished demo from a solution people will use on a jobsite.

We discuss:

• What venture capital is (and isn’t) doing in construction—and why early-stage investing is such a high-risk, high-reward game
• Why the best construction tech succeeds by solving real field problems (not just looking good in a demo)
• The importance of founder credibility, user-focused design, and approaching the industry with humility
• AI, “vibe coding,” and the build-vs-buy tradeoffs—when DIY tools make sense and where teams should be cautious
• What’s happening beyond software: robotics, 3D printing, prefab, and how new fabrication methods can change what’s possible to design and build
• A look ahead: AI-driven preconstruction, connected jobsites, more standardization, and why automation is becoming less optional as labor constraints persist

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Construction safety is often treated as a compliance exercise — forms to fill out, boxes to check, and requirements to satisfy. But compliance alone doesn’t keep people safe, and it doesn’t reflect the realities of working in the field.

On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Kaitlin Frank, CEO of eMOD, and Rob Lynch, CEO of Dome Construction, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a safety culture that works. Together, they explore why safety can’t be imposed from the top down — and what changes when ownership lives with the people doing the work.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Why compliance-driven safety programs often fall short
• Common myths around construction safety, including “no incidents means no problems”
• The difference between checking a box and building real ownership in the field
• How daily planning, visibility, and accountability shape safety outcomes
• The connection between physical safety, mental health, and psychological safety
• How proactive safety approaches impact EMR, insurance costs, and business performance

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Every construction project starts with a set of big decisions—but for many owners, those decisions come without the benefit of repetition. Large projects like hospitals, campuses, and major developments may only happen once or twice in an entire career, yet the stakes are enormous.

On this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Andrew Zukoski, CEO of Join.Build, for a wide‑ranging conversation about pre‑construction, decision‑making, and what Andrew calls the “eternal beginner” problem. Together, they explore why owners often struggle to make high‑impact decisions, how early trust and transparency shape project outcomes, and why investing more upfront can pay dividends long after construction begins.

The discussion also touches on evolving delivery models, shifting relationships between owners, designers, and builders, and why great projects are often remembered less for the buildings themselves—and more for the teams that delivered them.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Why owners are often “eternal beginners”—and how limited reps affect cost, schedule, and risk decisions
• The role trust, transparency, and early collaboration play in setting teams up for long‑term success
• Why under‑investing in pre‑construction can lead to downstream surprises on site
• How visibility and shared systems help teams stay aligned
• What’s changing in owner, architect, and contractor relationships as technology and delivery methods evolve
• Why great projects are remembered for team dynamics—not just the finished building

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Construction has long prioritized getting the job done, often at the expense of the people doing the work. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Henry Nutt III, a Preconstruction Executive at Southland Industries, to explore how leadership, empathy, and intentional people management can reshape jobsite culture—and why these shifts are critical as the industry confronts a growing mental health crisis.

Drawing on nearly four decades in construction, Henry shares lessons from his own leadership journey, including why managing people requires a fundamentally different skill set than managing projects, and how trust, vulnerability, and consistency can drive stronger teams, better retention, and healthier workplaces.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why construction has historically struggled with people management—and the cost of maintaining the status quo
• How empathy and vulnerability show up in real jobsite leadership, not just policy statements
• The connection between leadership behavior, mental health, and performance in construction
• Why saying “I don’t know” can be a strength, not a liability
• What leaders can do to create safer, more human workplaces where people want to stay
• How intentional mentorship and leadership development help rebuild trust across teams

Henry also reflects on difficult conversations, second chances, and how leaders set the tone—whether they realize it or not. The result is a candid conversation about responsibility, mindset, and what it takes to lead people well in one of the industry’s most demanding environments.

We talk a lot about AI in construction, but much of it still lives behind a screen. Robotics changes that. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Tessa Lau, CEO of Dusty Robotics, to explore how robotic layout is helping construction teams bridge the gap between design intent and field execution. From creating a single shared truth on site to rethinking long‑standing workflows, Tessa shares how “physical AI” is changing how buildings get planned, coordinated, and built.

Drawing on her background in artificial intelligence and robotics, Tessa explains why the real value of robotics isn’t the robot itself—but the new ways of working it enables.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Why robotics represents “physical AI” and how it brings digital plans directly into the field
• How creating a single shared truth on site reduces rework, coordination risk, and uncertainty
• Why layout is a critical moment where digital design meets real‑world construction
• How robotic layout enables earlier multi‑trade coordination and shifts problem‑solving upstream
• The productivity gains unlocked by reordering work and parallelizing construction activities
• How layout precision supports prefabrication and paperless, model‑driven workflows
• Why many contractors adopt robotics using a crawl‑walk‑run approach to manage risk and build trust

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.