It’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 tools
How AI is being used differently in the field versus the office
Practical AI use cases for superintendents, project managers, and preconstruction teams
Why over‑automating can backfire and how to preserve critical thinking
Dome Construction’s long‑term innovation journey
Creating safe guardrails for AI adoption and experimentation
Using AI to reduce admin work and strengthen collaboration on projects

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.