Podcast
Digital Builder
Hosted by Autodesk · EN
The Digital Builder podcast is for construction professionals working on the forefront of construction. If you are looking for conversations centered on where the industry is headed, this podcast is for you!
Each episode features an interview with top construction professionals discussing themes related to connected construction and the future of the construction industry.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Managing Construction in One of the Most Complex Venues in Sports
2w ago00:44:42Tap to summarizeAt 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 downHow teams coordinate across operations, security, and events to avoid disruptionsWhy communication is critical when balancing construction and live experiencesHow models, visualization tools, and virtual reality help align stakeholdersThe role of centralized platforms and digital twins in improving access to informationDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.
Transcribe →Why AI, MCPs and the Design and Make Marketplace Took Center Stage at DevCon 2026
4w ago00:16:57Tap to summarizeAutodesk 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 communityKey announcements from DevCon 2026, including news about Autodesk Marketplace, Autodesk Assistant, and MCPsHow agentic AI is reshaping workflows and accelerating experimentationWhy the industry is moving from hesitation to active adoption of AIWhat it takes to navigate rapid change—and in Ben’s eyes, why curiosity and grit really matterDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
Transcribe →What’s Next for Construction Tech?
May 1900:54:54Tap to summarizeConstruction 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 gameWhy 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 humilityAI, “vibe coding,” and the build-vs-buy tradeoffs—when DIY tools make sense and where teams should be cautiousWhat’s happening beyond software: robotics, 3D printing, prefab, and how new fabrication methods can change what’s possible to design and buildA look ahead: AI-driven preconstruction, connected jobsites, more standardization, and why automation is becoming less optional as labor constraints persistDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
Transcribe →Rethinking Construction Safety from the Ground Up
May 1200:41:39Tap to summarizeConstruction 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 shortCommon myths around construction safety, including “no incidents means no problems”The difference between checking a box and building real ownership in the fieldHow daily planning, visibility, and accountability shape safety outcomesThe connection between physical safety, mental health, and psychological safetyHow proactive safety approaches impact EMR, insurance costs, and business performanceDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.
Transcribe →The Eternal Beginner Problem in Construction
May 600:35:13Tap to summarizeEvery 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 decisionsThe role trust, transparency, and early collaboration play in setting teams up for long‑term successWhy under‑investing in pre‑construction can lead to downstream surprises on siteHow visibility and shared systems help teams stay alignedWhat’s changing in owner, architect, and contractor relationships as technology and delivery methods evolveWhy great projects are remembered for team dynamics—not just the finished buildingDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.
Transcribe →Why Construction Needs a New Kind of Leadership
Apr 1400:55:31Tap to summarizeConstruction 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 quoHow empathy and vulnerability show up in real jobsite leadership, not just policy statementsThe connection between leadership behavior, mental health, and performance in constructionWhy saying “I don’t know” can be a strength, not a liabilityWhat leaders can do to create safer, more human workplaces where people want to stayHow intentional mentorship and leadership development help rebuild trust across teamsHenry 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.
Transcribe →How Robotics Is Reshaping Construction Workflows in the Field
Apr 700:35:41Tap to summarizeWe 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 fieldHow creating a single shared truth on site reduces rework, coordination risk, and uncertaintyWhy layout is a critical moment where digital design meets real‑world constructionHow robotic layout enables earlier multi‑trade coordination and shifts problem‑solving upstreamThe productivity gains unlocked by reordering work and parallelizing construction activitiesHow layout precision supports prefabrication and paperless, model‑driven workflowsWhy many contractors adopt robotics using a crawl‑walk‑run approach to manage risk and build trustDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.
Transcribe →How AI Is Actually Changing Construction Workflows
Mar 3100:52:05Tap to summarizeIt’s easy to throw around buzzwords like AI and innovation. But in construction, those ideas only matter if they change how work actually gets done—on the jobsite, not just in theory.In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Steve Long, Director of Innovation and Learning at Dome Construction, for a grounded conversation on what innovation really means in construction and how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape day‑to‑day work across the field and the office.With nearly 30 years at Dome, Steve brings a long‑term perspective on how innovation in construction has evolved—from paper plans and manual workflows to mobile tools, BIM, and now AI. Rather than chasing shiny tools, he emphasizes innovation as a steady, intentional process focused on impact: improving outcomes, reducing friction, and giving people more time to focus on building.The conversation explores how AI is already being applied in practical ways, from helping superintendents stay mobile and reduce administrative burden to supporting office teams with document analysis, scheduling insights, and faster coordination. Steve also shares why over‑automation can be risky, how Dome is creating guardrails for safe experimentation, and what it will take to develop the next generation of construction leaders in an AI‑enabled world.At its core, this episode is about using technology to get back to building—and keeping people, judgment, and collaboration at the center of the work.On this episode, we discuss:What innovation really means in construction—and why impact matters more than toolsHow AI is being used differently in the field versus the officePractical AI use cases for superintendents, project managers, and preconstruction teamsWhy over‑automating can backfire and how to preserve critical thinkingDome Construction’s long‑term innovation journeyCreating safe guardrails for AI adoption and experimentationUsing AI to reduce admin work and strengthen collaboration on projectsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.
Transcribe →Need Housing to Be Affordable, Sustainable, and Scalable? You Don't Have to "Pick Two"
Mar 1800:51:31Tap to summarizeAcross the United States, the housing crisis is no longer abstract. Wildfire rebuilds, rising costs, workforce shortages, and long permitting timelines are colliding at a moment when demand has never been higher. If the industry continues building the way it always has, the results will stay the same.Recorded live from Greenbuild in Los Angeles, this episode of Digital Builder explores what it will take to deliver housing that is affordable, resilient, and scalable—without treating those goals as tradeoffs.Host Eric Thomas is joined by Edie Dillman, CEO and Co‑Founder of B.Public Prefab, and Vamsi Kumar Kotla, Founder of ReMo Homes, for a candid conversation about what’s broken in residential construction and where meaningful progress is happening today.Together, they examine how panelized and modular approaches can reduce soft costs, speed delivery, and improve long‑term performance—while still respecting the expertise of builders and the realities of the jobsite. The discussion also looks beyond construction itself, touching on workforce development, wildfire recovery, digital twins, and the role of building science in creating homes that perform over decades, not just at handover.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why the housing crisis is driven by more than just build costs—and why operational costs, resilience, and long‑term ownership matter just as muchHow modular and panelized construction can help balance affordability, sustainability, and scalability without forcing a “pick two” compromiseWhere the biggest cost savings actually live in residential projects, and why soft costs are a critical lever for changeHow offsite construction succeeds when builders are treated as partnersDifferent perspectives on technology in housing, from digital twins and IoT to passive building science and material‑first resilienceWhy solving the housing crisis will require multiple approaches—and broad collaboration across the industryThis episode offers a grounded, honest look at the future of housing, and why innovation paired with collaboration—and a little joy—matters more than ever.
Transcribe →Looking Closely at AI, Sustainability & Data Center Growth in a Climate-Conscious World
Mar 1100:23:40Tap to summarizeAs AI and cloud computing continue to scale, data centers are becoming some of the most important infrastructure of the digital age. With that growth comes increased attention on energy use, water consumption, and embodied carbon—but also a powerful opportunity to rethink how we design, build, and operate these facilities more sustainably.In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Sara Neff, General Manager of Sustainability and ESG at Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation, for a live conversation from Greenbuild in Los Angeles. Together, they explore how rapid data center expansion and ambitious climate goals can move forward in parallel—and why the moment ahead is full of possibility.In this episode, we discuss:How Microsoft is scaling data center development while staying firmly committed to its 2030 goals to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero wasteWhy cooling systems and HVAC equipment are a major opportunity for reducing embodied carbon—and how smarter design choices are already making a differencePractical, “right now” uses of AI to reduce carbon, water, and energy use, from leak detection to optimizing low‑carbon concrete mixesWhat radical collaboration across owners, designers, contractors, and suppliers looks like—and why it is essential for sustainability at scaleHow shared standards, policy, and better measurement can help accelerate progress across the industryWhy growing AI fluency across the AECO ecosystem could unlock faster, more durable climate solutionsRather than framing AI as a tradeoff, this conversation highlights how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and targeted use of technology can turn growth into a catalyst for positive change. The result is a clearer picture of how the built environment can support both digital innovation and long‑term sustainability.
Transcribe →