Digital Builder

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.