How Firms, Educators, and Tech Are Closing the Construction Skills Gap Together
The construction industry faces a growing talent shortage—but innovative partnerships are paving the way forward. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Nick Otto, Chief Technology Officer at Kimley-Horn, and Beth Ihnatolya, Program Director of Civil Engineering and Geomatics Technology at Wake Technical Community College, to explore how collaboration between firms, educators, and technology providers is creating a job-ready pipeline.Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into why these partnerships matter, how they’re reshaping education, and what it takes to prepare the next generation of construction professionals.We discuss:Why firms, colleges, and tech providers must work together to close the skills gapHow internships and apprenticeships go beyond “coffee runs” to deliver real-world experienceThe role of advisory boards in aligning curriculum with industry needsHow Autodesk, Kimley-Horn, and Wake Tech are redesigning courses with hands-on toolsPractical steps for attracting talent and changing construction’s perceptionDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Construction Professionals Should Know THIS About Model Context Protocols (MCPs)
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work—but until recently, its capabilities were limited by context. Enter Model Context Protocol (MCP), a new standard that’s changing the game by enabling AI agents to connect directly with external tools and data sources.In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Ben Cochran, Vice President of Engineering at Autodesk, to demystify MCPs and explore what they mean for construction workflows. Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into why MCPs are generating so much buzz and how they’re unlocking new levels of efficiency across the industry.We discuss:What MCPs are and how they differ from traditional APIsWhy MCPs are accelerating AI adoption across connected ecosystemsPractical use cases for MCPs in construction, from BIM validation to design optimizationHow MCPs reduce repetitive tasks and enable outcome-based workflowsWhere to start if you’re curious about MCPs and agentic toolsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Why the Future of Preconstruction is Brighter Than Ever
Preconstruction is evolving faster than ever—and it’s changing what it means to plan and price projects. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Jose Gudiño, Manager of Construction Technology at Swinerton, and Jeff Gerardi, Director of Preconstruction Strategy at Autodesk, to explore how technology, data, and AI are reshaping the preconstruction landscape.Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into the challenges of fragmented workflows, the rise of connected platforms, and what the next generation of preconstruction professionals can expect.We discuss:How preconstruction workflows have shifted from spreadsheets to integrated, data-driven systemsWhy tool overload is an industry-wide problem—and how to solve itThe growing role of AI in takeoffs, cost analysis, and constructability reviewsHow mentorship and technology are redefining career paths in preconstructionWhat the estimator’s role will look like in 5–10 yearsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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From Aspirational to Operational: How Sustainability Is Evolving in Construction
Sustainability in construction has long been a topic of discussion—but the nature of that conversation is changing. In this episode, host Eric Thomas sits down with Joe Speicher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Autodesk, and Allison Scott, Director of Sustainability Growth and Engagement, to explore how the industry is shifting from aspirational goals to operational strategies.Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation dives into how firms are turning sustainability promises into measurable outcomes, and the role technology plays in enabling that transformation.We discuss:How sustainability has become a data problem—and why that’s a good thingThe importance of connected construction and digital threadsThe environmental impact of AI and how to deploy it responsiblyWhy data centers are at the heart of the sustainability conversationHow Autodesk is helping customers operationalize sustainability across the built environmentAssets mentioned during the episode:A Guide to Alignment in the Built EnvironmentDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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AU2025 Recap and A Retrospective on Over 130+ Episodes of Digital Builder
Join our host Eric Thomas live from Nashville, Tennessee, as he reflects on hosting over 130 episodes of Autodesk's Digital Builder podcast. Eric covers 5 key takeaways from his discussions with industry leaders and reflects on some of the biggest announcements from Autodesk University this year.
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.
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