August 20, 2025

Can AI Help Us Build Trust—and Build Better—in Construction?

28 minutes

Can artificial intelligence really help solve one of construction’s biggest challenges—trust?

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt speaks with Jessica Herrala, Head of Sales and Regional Director of North America at Buildots, about the evolving role of AI and real-time data in construction project management.

From her early days walking job sites with her dad to leading conversations on cutting-edge tech, Jessica shares her perspective on how AI can improve productivity, identify work-ready areas, and help project teams move from reactive problem-solving to proactive planning. They explore the balance between human intuition and data-driven decision-making, the importance of change management in adopting new tools, and why making construction “cool” again is essential for attracting the next generation of talent.

MEET OUR GUEST

Jessica Herrala is the Head of Sales and Regional Director of North America at Buildots, an AI-based construction technology that gives stakeholders the power to reduce schedule through data and insights. Jessica brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, communications, marketing, business development, strategy and operational improvement in the commercial construction and development industry. She has a deep passion for improving the efficiency of the industry through technology and enjoys working directly with leadership and project teams to solve the pain points of and time waste on projects. Previous positions include Chief of Communications & Marketing at Clayco, VP of Strategy at The Walsh Group and numerous positions in a 17-year career at Skanska. Jessica is a board member of the International Women’s Forum and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Journalism.

TODD TAKES

Pride in What We Build

I love seeing the passion in this industry. Every beam, every wall, every finished project is a testament to the skill and dedication of the people who make it happen. That pride is something worth protecting and celebrating.

Trust but Verify

Collaboration works best when we assume positive intent, but also have systems in place to verify progress and quality. It’s not about fighting each other — it’s about making sure we’re all aligned and moving forward together.

Intuition + Technology = Our Superpower

Human intuition and creativity are what make this industry great, and technology shouldn’t replace that. Instead, it can be a powerful partner to help us make smarter decisions, spot issues earlier, and ultimately do our best work.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Construction Innovation

00:54 Jessica's Journey into Construction

03:51 Challenges in Construction Project Management

06:43 The Role of Real-Time Data and AI

11:28 AI's Impact on Construction Efficiency

17:16 The Future of Construction with AI

21:56 Closing Thoughts and Innovations in Construction.

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