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Peggy explores how AI (artificial intelligence)-powered robotics could reshape the future of skilled work by looking at a new AI welding agent. Peggy uses this example to examine a broader shift in automation: robots are no longer simply performing repetitive physical tasks—they are beginning to interpret instructions, assist with programming and planning, and carry out increasingly complex work. She argues that this raises important questions about how employers, workers, and unions prepare for a future in which humans and machines work more closely together. She also discusses: · How this could change the skills workers need tomorrow. · How the gap is being bridged between human instructions and physical action. · How we can learn from earlier examples of robotics, such as SAM the bricklaying robot. · How employers, workers, and unions can work together to train people for new roles and ensure workers with valuable skills are included in the transition. · Why it is important to remember the future of work is about how humans and machines can work together.  https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy concludes her five-part series of predictions for 2027 by looking at how wisdom and human judgment will become increasingly valuable as AI makes information, analysis, and answers easier to generate. For her fifth and final prediction, Peggy says 2027 could be a turning point as organizations move beyond simply using AI to generate answers and focus more on knowing which answers matter, questioning AI recommendations, and applying human experience and context to make better decisions. She also encourages listeners to: · Use AI to analyze information, identify patterns, and generate options. · Capture and preserve the knowledge and experience of retiring workers by using AI to make historical information more accessible. · Focus on asking better questions and applying context, critical thinking, ethics, and long-term thinking. · Rethink workforce training by teaching people not only how to use AI, but how to supervise, evaluate, question, and improve the work AI produces. · Remember that AI can provide more answers, but human wisdom and judgment remain essential for deciding which answers are worth following.  https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy continues her five-part series of predictions for 2027 by looking at how AI governance, security, and accountability will become increasingly important as businesses integrate AI into their operations. For her fourth prediction, Peggy says 2027 could be a turning point as companies move beyond simply adopting AI and begin establishing clear rules around who can use it, what data it can access, what actions it can take, and who is ultimately responsible for its outcomes. She also encourages listeners to: · Identify every AI system being used across the organization and understand who owns each one. · Establish clear guidelines for when AI can make recommendations or take action and when human approval is required. · Define accountability so there is always a person or team responsible. · Treat governance as an operating model that creates clarity, trust, and confidence while allowing organizations to scale AI responsibly.  https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy continues her five-part series of predictions for 2027 by looking at how construction companies could begin treating historical data as a valuable business asset. For her third prediction, Peggy says 2027 could be a turning point as construction companies move beyond simply storing years of project information and begin using that data to inform better decisions, transfer knowledge, and improve future projects. She also encourages listeners to: · Organize and connect historical project data so it can be easily accessed and used. · Use AI to uncover patterns across past projects, including cost overruns, delays, risks, and project performance. · Capture the knowledge and lessons behind the data so experience can be shared with the next generation of workers. · Treat historical data as more than an archive and use it as a competitive advantage for future projects.  https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy continues her five-part series of predictions for 2027 by looking at how AI will move from experimentation to real-world scale in manufacturing. For her second prediction, Peggy says 2027 could be a turning point as manufacturers move beyond pilots and proof of concepts and begin making AI a more integral part of how their operations run. She also encourages listeners to: · Focus on business problems where AI can create measurable value, rather than adding AI everywhere. · Fix processes, connect data, and involve people before trying to scale AI. · Use AI to augment the knowledge and experience of workers while scaling the use cases that actually work. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Does the future of infrastructure engineering need to be open? Peggy Smedley sits down with Greg Demchak, vice president of emerging technologies at Bentley Systems, to unpack why open standards, open-source technology, and APIs (application programming interfaces) are essential for the next generation of infrastructure. He says openness is about agreeing to a standard that enables interoperability between systems. They also discuss: · What open really means in an infrastructure context. · The hidden cost of vendor lock-in and why data portability matters across an asset's lifecycle. · How Bentley's iTwin platform and iModel open schema enable a vendor-neutral, single source of truth. · The role of AI agents and MCP (model context protocol) in the future of infrastructure engineering. · Bentley Labs experiments with agentic software development. · Why governance and cybersecurity are essential with critical infrastructure. · The next frontier for generative AI and infrastructure. https://www.bentley.com/en/connected-data-unlocked-value/

Peggy kicks off her five-part series of predictions for 2027 by looking at how businesses will use technology to make better decisions. For her first prediction, Peggy says digital twins will move beyond visualization and become increasingly important tools for understanding what could happen next. She also encourages listeners to: · See digital twins as decision tools and to use data to look forward. · Ask more what if questions and explore scenarios before acting. · Keep human judgment in the loop and always start with the business problem. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley looks ahead to 2027 and explores what businesses must do to move beyond AI experimentation to real, scaled implementation. From building a people-centric AI strategy to retaining top talent, modernizing legacy infrastructure, and adopting agentic AI in business workflows, this episode breaks down the hard decisions leaders face. Topics include IDC's forecast of $22 trillion in cumulative AI economic value by 2031, Forrester's budget expectations, why more money doesn't equal more innovation, and why the companies that thrive will balance people, process, and technology. Plus, Peggy shares a practical tip: pick one technology area you don't fully understand and make it your personal assignment. PeggySmedleyShow.com

I is reshaping every industry, but the real question isn't whether technology will change — it's whether your skills are evolving fast enough to keep up. In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, host Peggy Smedley breaks down what it really means to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy. We cover: Why the future of work is about humans with AI, not humans vs. AI The human skills AI can't replicate — and why they're becoming the most valuable How the best organizations are developing talent instead of just hiring it Why continuous learning is your greatest competitive advantage Practical steps leaders can take to build a culture of curiosity and growth The role of trust, ethics, and transparency in AI adoption Whether you're a business leader, manager, or professional navigating change, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you approach learning, leadership, and growth in the age of AI.

Everyone is racing to adopt AI, automate processes, and keep up with the latest technology breakthroughs. But is moving faster always the right strategy? In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, Peggy explores why businesses need their own version of "recess" to step back, think clearly, and innovate with purpose. She discusses the difference between activity and innovation, why leaders must make time for reflection, and how AI should enhance critical thinking rather than replace it. Key topics include: Why speed without direction isn't a strategy The risk of solving the wrong problems with AI How reflection drives better innovation Creating intentional "business recess" time The role of leadership in the age of AI Why wisdom may be more valuable than speed What if your greatest competitive advantage isn't moving faster, but thinking better before you act? #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #AI #FutureOfWork #PeggySmedleyShow https://peggysmedleyshow.com/

Every August, students go back to school — and business leaders should take note. In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, host Peggy Smedley uses the back-to-school season as a lens to examine one of the most critical questions facing organizations today: As we race to adopt AI, automation, and digital transformation, are we actually solving the right problems? Peggy revisits the foundational principle that has guided Connected World for years — the right balance of people, process, and technology — and explains why that three-legged stool matters more than ever in the age of generative AI, agentic AI, and physical AI. In this episode, you'll hear why: Technology is the enabler, not the destination Data without insight is just noise AI cannot fix broken processes — it only exposes them The next decade will be won by organizations that learn continuously, not the ones that spend the most on tech This week's tip: Pick one business challenge. Don't start by asking which technology to buy — start by asking why the problem exists in the first place. Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday, and join Peggy live every Tuesday at 12 PM Central. PeggySmedleyShow.com | LinkedIn: Peggy Smedley

Peggy talks about one of the biggest business challenges today: turning data into insights, and ultimately better business decisions. She says we have more information available than ever before, but that doesn't automatically mean creating better insights. She also discusses: · How too much information can sometimes make decisions harder. · The next phase of digital transformation. · Four big trends driving this shift. · How AI (artificial intelligence) is changing the conversation. · Her candid thoughts on what construction and manufacturing leaders should be focusing on next. Peggy talks about one of the biggest business challenges today: turning data into insights, and ultimately better business decisions. She says we have more information available than ever before, but that doesn't automatically mean creating better insights. She also discusses: · How too much information can sometimes make decisions harder. · The next phase of digital transformation. · Four big trends driving this shift. · How AI (artificial intelligence) is changing the conversation. · Her candid thoughts on what construction and manufacturing leaders should be focusing on next. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

AI is changing everything in the AEC industry — but not in the way most people fear. In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, host Peggy Smedley sits down with Claire Rutkowski, Executive Director of AI Productivity and Enablement at WSP, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the engineering workforce. They dig into how AI is catching recurring clash patterns, flagging spec drift before it becomes costly rework, compressing meeting prep time, and freeing engineers to focus on judgment, creativity, and higher-value decisions. Claire also shares how WSP is upskilling its workforce, why the most skeptical engineers are often the most valuable voices in the room, and what it means to mentor a generation that's ready to go AI-native. Topics covered: Is AI coming for engineering jobs? The honest answer How AI agents work alongside engineers today — and where it's heading Clash detection, spec inconsistencies, and change order prevention Smarter coordination meetings powered by AI Upskilling engineers: persona-based training at scale The shift from project delivery to full asset lifecycle intelligence What separates firms that will lead from those that fall behind  Guest: Claire Rutkowski, WSP Executive Director of AI Productivity and Enablement 🌐 wsp.com | Follow Claire on LinkedIn

What is your sleep really telling you about your long-term health? In this episode, Peggy Smedley sits down with Dr. Pierre Escourrou, Senior Medical Advisor at Withings and practicing cardiologist, to unpack groundbreaking research linking nighttime breathing patterns to arterial aging — and what that means for your cardiovascular health. They explore: How sleep apnea and snoring accelerate arterial stiffness Why a single night of sleep data leads to 20% misdiagnosis rates — and how continuous monitoring changes that The power of connected device ecosystems (IoT) over standalone wearables How AI + IoT data is shifting medicine from treatment to prevention What conditions — including hypertension, heart failure, COPD, and menopause — may be detectable years earlier using devices like the Withings Sleep Analyzer and smart scale The regulatory and insurance hurdles still standing in the way Whether you're a health tech enthusiast, a clinician, or someone who just wants to understand their sleep data better, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Learn more at withings.com

The way we work is changing fast — and the 2030 workforce won't look like anything we've seen before. In this episode, Peggy Smedley explores the forces reshaping work: the rise of fractional leadership, AI augmentation (not replacement), portfolio careers, and the urgent need for continuous learning. Peggy breaks down what individuals and organizations need to do now to stay ahead — from skills-based hiring and project-based teams to building cultures where learning never stops. Whether you're a leader, a professional rethinking your career path, or an organization trying to stay agile, this episode gives you a clear-eyed look at what's coming and how to prepare. Topics covered: How remote work and AI set the stage for the 2030 workforce The rise of fractional roles and portfolio careers AI augmentation vs. replacement — what's really happening Why adaptability is the most valuable skill of the decade Practical steps for individuals and organizations to prepare 🌐 Visit us: connectedworld.com | peggysmedleyshow.com 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter and follow the conversation on X @ConnectedWorld and LinkedIn. 🎙️ Live every Tuesday at 12:00 PM Central | Podcast every Thursday The Peggy Smedley Show — Your Voice for Our Connected World.