Advertise on podcast: The Trailblazers Presented by BST Global

In this episode, Dr. Jim Birdsall, Chief Technology Officer of Infrastructure for North America at Parsons Corporation, breaks down how the company is integrating advanced technologies across its 21,000‑person global organization. He notes that he’s seen significant progress as contractors, designers and clients compound organizational knowledge and accelerate innovation.  Jim also offers real‑world examples of AI in action, from using traffic data to speed up citywide safety analytics to embedding AI into rail operations, asset management and Parsons’ broader digital engineering framework. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes a disciplined, value‑driven approach to adopting AI that strengthens infrastructure and the communities it serves.  Tune in to learn how leaders like Jim are leveraging AI to drive digital transformation across the AEC industry.

In this episode of The Trailblazers podcast, David McLaren, Enterprise Data and AI Leader at GHD, joins BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady to discuss what it really takes for AEC firms to move from AI experimentation to meaningful, scalable impact.   Drawing on his background in automation, application development and data strategy, David shares why strong data foundations, practical use cases and clear governance are essential for successful adoption.  He explores where firms are already seeing value — from faster project starts to smarter knowledge retrieval and workflow automation — and explains why human oversight remains critical as AI capabilities continue to evolve. David also offers his perspective on the future of AI agents and how they may transform collaboration across teams and even across companies.  Tune in to hear David’s full perspective and insights.

The Trailblazers podcast welcomes Jacobs’ Senior Vice President of Enterprise AI, Michael Brown, to discuss the realities of deploying AI at scale inside one of the world’s largest engineering firms. He and BST Global CMO Eileen M. Canady examine the operational complexity of enterprise AI, from governance and data sovereignty to the need for unified, worldwide practices.    Michael also explores emerging agentic AI applications in construction and program management, highlighting how real‑time insights can help projects stay on schedule and on budget. Rounding out the discussion, he reflects on AI as a catalyst for creativity, empowering engineers to imagine new solutions and push the boundaries of what’s possible.    Tune in to learn how leaders like Michael are integrating AI, and check out more of his insights in our “AI + Data Insights 2026: Global AEC Industry Report,” available to download for free.

In this episode of The Trailblazers podcast, BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady speaks with Namitha Vinay, Knowledge and Information Leader at Mott MacDonald, about how AEC organizations can translate knowledge, data and emerging AI capabilities into meaningful business outcomes.    Namitha draws on her background in software engineering, data science and enterprise AI strategy to define the criteria for driving innovation within large, multidisciplinary firms. She emphasizes the importance of context — why data foundations, governance and organizational structure determine whether AI becomes trusted, scalable and genuinely useful.    The conversation explores how firms can move past isolated pilots by grounding solutions in real project needs, integrating tools into day‑to‑day delivery and proving value through measurable impact. Namitha also highlights the role of leadership, change management and co‑creation with project teams to ensure adoption feels natural rather than imposed.    She closes with practical guidance for AEC leaders looking to start small, prioritize the right problems and build momentum toward a future where knowledge‑enabled, AI‑supported engineering becomes the norm.    Listen to the full episode to hear Namitha’s insights.

In this episode, Ian Lumsden, UKIMEA Digital Services, Data & AI Group Leader at Arup, joins BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady to explore how forward-thinking firms are building a more sustainable and data-driven future for the AEC industry.   During their conversation, Ian talks about the progress Arup has made with their net-zero carbon strategy and the growing collaboration across the industry as decarbonization becomes a shared priority. He even shares an example of this initiative in action, detailing a project where AI-enabled design reduced the need for hard infrastructure and delivered significant carbon savings.   Looking ahead, Ian emphasizes that the key to driving meaningful progress around climate change lies in establishing consistent data standards and reliable baselines across the built environment.     Tune in for the full story.

In this episode of The Trailblazers podcast, BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady talks with James P. Cooper, Global Director of Water at Arcadis, about the rapidly accelerating role of AI and digital innovation in the water sector. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across operations, engineering and utility leadership, James offers a candid look at why the industry is at a pivotal point.  Their discussion dives into the immense scale of water systems, the expanding capabilities of digital twins and the organizational mindset shifts needed to fully embrace AI. James emphasizes that digital transformation goes far beyond new tools — it represents a fundamental shift in how utilities use data, manage assets and make decisions. He also shares practical examples of AI already driving measurable impact, from boosting safety and regulatory performance to cutting excavation costs and enabling smarter, more cost‑effective energy planning.  This conversation paints a vivid picture of how the AEC community can build more resilient, data‑driven and future‑ready organizations through technology, collaboration and empowered teams.  Tune in to hear James’ full perspective and insights.

Jazz Pabla, Chief Innovation Officer at WSP, joins BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady to explore how AI is transforming the future of engineering and the communities it serves. From applying AI to weather data to building safer, smarter infrastructure, Jazz shares how innovation can deliver real-world impact.  Drawing on his journey from municipal IT leadership to a global engineering firm, Jazz reflects on how working closely with citizens shaped his belief that technology should ultimately enhance everyday human experiences. That people-first mindset continues to guide his approach to innovation today.  He also outlines a vision for a future-ready engineering firm that balances rapid AI adoption with quality, trust and human judgment and spotlights the opportunity to unlock meaningful value by embedding engineering expertise directly into AI-driven solutions.  Throughout the conversation, Jazz shares his optimism about the next generation, recognizing how their blend of technical skills and empathy can help shape how AI benefits society.    Tune in to hear the full conversation.

Jack Li, Global Future Focus and AI Director at AtkinsRéalis, sits down with Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the AEC landscape and redefining what it means for firms to be prepared for the future.  Drawing on a career path that spans consulting, finance and startups, Jack explains how his diverse background sharpened his ability to anticipate disruption and help large organizations navigate rapid technological shifts. He breaks down his current role, which involves monitoring emerging innovations and guiding the business toward the opportunities with the greatest impact.  Jack also examines the rising presence of major tech players in the AEC industry, the importance of unlocking siloed data and the growing necessity of human + AI collaboration. He highlights why critical thinking, curiosity and people‑centered skills are becoming even more essential as AI accelerates technical work. Jack closes by outlining the core ingredients of a future‑ready firm: skilled teams, flexible processes and strong data foundations that enable AI to deliver meaningful value.  Tune in to hear Jack’s full perspective on where the industry is headed next.

In the latest episode of The Trailblazers podcast, GHD’s Chief Information Officer, Paul Murphy, and Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, explore important AI and AEC industry topics, including:  How GHD is upskilling its people across the firm  Why humans should be in control when AI is involved  How AI will link the built and natural environments  Paul talks about build-by-partner as a strategy and why creating specialty solutions from scratch is not always the best course of action for engineering firms. He also expresses his hope for a future in which AI-powered technology solves the most pressing and complex environmental problems to make our planet safer for humanity.  We also learn why Paul thinks being in leadership is like stand-up comedy and how that piece of wisdom has served him throughout his career. Find out what else Paul shares when you listen to the full episode.

In this episode, Lalitha Krishnamoorthy, Vice President of Data & Artificial Intelligence at Stantec, joins BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, Eileen M. Canady, for a compelling discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the architecture, engineering and environmental consulting (AEC) sector.  Lalitha highlights a generational shift in the workforce, where emerging professionals are entering the field with AI already embedded in their education. She explains that these new designers and architects don’t need to be introduced to AI but instead should be given space to innovate with it. She outlines how Stantec is adapting its culture and infrastructure to support this new wave of AI-fluent talent.  The conversation also dives into the potential of neuro-symbolic AI to bring greater transparency and accountability to complex models, making them more understandable for project teams, regulators, and decision-makers alike. Looking ahead, Lalitha recognizes that AI is becoming less about technology and more about business and how it can help generate value.

It’s the second time The Trailblazers podcast is featuring Ricardo Lorenzo, Chief Technology Officer at Parsons Corporation. In this episode, Ricardo sits down with BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady to talk about the delicate balance between risk and reward in a rapidly changing technological environment. Ricardo explains his approach to risk management: think holistically. That means focus on the real-world implications, start early and small, include everyone from the beginning and always be transparent.    As the discussion continues, Ricardo reveals that firms can achieve big wins by using data they collect to bring unexpected value to their clients. His best piece of advice to AEC leaders is to let employees “go wild” but first establish guardrails to minimize risk. Ricardo also tells Eileen that he’ll choose passion over just about anything else when it comes to investing in people.

In this episode, Freek Matheij, Global Director of Citizen Development & AI at Arcadis, joins Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, for a dynamic conversation about empowering employees through citizen development and strategic upskilling. Freek shares how Arcadis is fostering a culture of innovation by encouraging staff to engage with coding and development tools within clear governance frameworks to ensure responsible use.  The discussion also explores Arcadis’ goal to become a skills-powered organization where employees are supported in shaping their career paths based on personal strengths and aspirations. This skills-first approach not only fuels individual growth but also gives leadership valuable insights into workforce capabilities. On the topic of AI, Freek underscores the power of turning the lens inward, focusing on how AI can enhance internal processes and productivity. As he puts it, “It’s really thinking about how you can use AI and how it amplifies your work.”  Listen to the full episode to hear more from Freek.

On this episode of The Trailblazers, Joseph Joseph, Partner and Chief Digital Officer at Gensler, joins BST Global Chief Executive Officer Javier A. Baldor for an inspiring conversation in which he reveals the moving stories behind his approach to leadership, design and AI.  Speaking candidly about his personal journey, Joseph shares what fuels his passion for technology, design and meaningful innovation. He dives into the pivotal role digital transformation is playing in the AEC industry, the growing impact of AI and the importance of storytelling in shaping spaces that truly serve people.  Javier and Joseph also contemplate what the future holds for the built environment, maintaining that human experience must factor into every design decision. It’s a masterclass in resiliency, foresight and the power of storytelling.  Listen to the full episode to hear more of Joseph’s insights.

In this episode, BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady sits down with Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI at Mott MacDonald, for a dynamic conversation about how artificial intelligence can empower (not replace) AEC employees.  Nasrine shares her passion for using AI as a tool to elevate people, praising Mott MacDonald’s commitment to a people-focused approach. She spotlights the company’s Emerging Leaders program as a transformative initiative that supports growth and innovation from within.  The conversation also dives into real-world applications of AI, including SafeSwim — a project in New Zealand that predicts flooding using historical data. It’s just one example of how data-driven insights can create safer, smarter communities.  Nasrine also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Mott MacDonald is driving digital transformation. From robust governance to cross-functional teamwork, she details the practical strategies helping the organization embrace AI responsibly and effectively.

On this episode of The Trailblazers, Shankar Kalyana, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Stantec, joins BST Global Chief Executive Officer Javier A. Baldor for a compelling conversation about the evolving role of digital transformation in the AEC industry. Drawing on his 40-year tech career — in which he held the prestigious title of IBM Fellow — Shankar emphasizes that meaningful transformation is rooted in solving real-world challenges, not just adopting new technologies.    As the interview continues, Shankar explores how AI, data and automation are revolutionizing infrastructure, from compressing design cycles to enabling predictive, self-regulating operations. He stresses the need for a true fusion between digital innovation and engineering expertise and highlights the opportunities as well as the risks tech and consulting firms entering the AEC space bring.    During the discussion, Shankar also dives into the critical role of robust data infrastructure, governance and workforce development in enabling sustainable digital transformation. While he acknowledges the potential downsides of AI, he remains optimistic about humanity's ability to use it as a force for good.    Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on how engineering firms can adapt, innovate and lead in a digitally driven future.