Engineering Influence from ACEC

On this episode of Engineering Influence, host Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Sean Young from NVIDIA to explore how artificial intelligence — particularly agentic AI and large language models — is reshaping the AEC industry.

Sean and Jeff discuss why firms should start treating project data as valuable IP, how AI agents can automate repetitive CAD and BIM tasks, and the ways AI is accelerating design iteration. They also dig into why engineering firms need to position themselves as technology- and AI-first organizations to stay competitive.

The conversation highlights findings from the ACEC Research Institute's Firm of the Future initiative, along with practical steps firms can take right now to scale expertise across their teams and free up engineers to focus on higher-value design decisions.

As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, successful data center development depends on more than identifying available land. Developers and engineering teams must navigate permitting challenges, stakeholder concerns, community sentiment, and political dynamics that can significantly impact project outcomes.

In this episode of The Market Edge, Diana O'Lare sits down with Flypower CEO Navdeep Martin to discuss how AI-powered site selection and community risk intelligence are helping teams answer two critical questions: Should we build here? and What is our path to approval?

ACEC position statement on data center development: https://www.acec.org/resource/45007/

Strategic Communications for Mission Critical & Pubic Facing Projects: https://netforum.acec.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=ACECAOOE10&prdKey=CCBDE0C4-55A5-4128-988E-2AE51A97BC2F&pc=ee

Learn More about Flypower: https://flypower.io/ 

A big thank you to Autodesk, the sponsor of Engineering Influence at this year's convention. Autodesk partners with the AECO industry and its leaders to shape a more connected, data-driven future, empowering engineers to work more intelligently and to make confident decisions to drive meaningful impact. This enables firms to evolve, stay competitive, and deliver stronger business outcomes, all while designing a better world. So thank you again to Autodesk.

This episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast features Mark Van Elden of the Life Health Trust and Dr. Brian Hill of HIP Nation discussing the growing health care crisis affecting employers and employees. They explore the rapid rise in costs, the failures of fee-for-service primary care, prescription drug pricing, and the promising—but uncertain—impact of GLP-1 drugs.

The conversation covers solutions such as direct primary care subscription models, the role of incentives and consolidation in driving costs, and the medical concerns and long-term implications of weight-loss medications. Practical insights for employers on coverage, utilization, and improving workforce health are provided throughout.

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with the CEO of FIDIC to explore the forces reshaping the engineering profession worldwide. We discuss how global standards help firms navigate cross-border projects, the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering practice, and what it will take to build and retain a skilled workforce for the future. It's a conversation about where the industry is headed — and how firms can prepare for what's next.

Data is one of the most valuable assets an engineering firm has—but only if it's collected, connected, and put to work.

On this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Deb Johnston of Tonic DM to discuss how engineering firms can transform the way they manage project data. Deb explains how Tonic DM helps firms streamline data collection, eliminate redundant processes, improve workflows, and ensure critical information is optimized rather than wasted.

From reducing inefficiencies to creating better decision-making across projects, this conversation explores why smarter data management is becoming essential for firms looking to improve productivity, collaboration, and long-term performance.

🎧 Listen now to discover how optimizing your data can unlock greater value across your entire organization.

This episode explains Progressive Design‑Build: a qualifications‑based, two‑phase delivery method that brings contractors and designers together early to develop preliminary designs, set firm prices, and use disciplined decision gates.

The ACEC Research Institute study shows increasing adoption, generally strong project outcomes, and uneven readiness across firms and owners. Success depends on rigorous collaboration, timely executive decision‑making, and building the skills needed for this more integrated approach—offering new opportunities for firms and clients.

View the key findings of the Progressive Design Build Study Findings: https://www.acec.org/resource/progressive-design-build-recommendations-for-owners-and-pdb-teams-on-effective-project-delivery/

View Full Progressive Design Build Study: https://netforum.acec.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=ACECAOPP20&prdKey=243AD001-D82A-4558-8C2B-965B41694AD4&pc=pp 

View 2025 Progressive Design Build Study: https://www.acec.org/resource/progressive-design-build-practice-perceptions-and-potential/ 

Policy is moving fast — and markets are moving with it. In this episode of The Market Edge, Morgan Stanley’s Monica Guerra breaks down the biggest forces set to shape the U.S. economy in 2026. We cover midterms, industrial policy, labor supply, inflation, energy markets, construction financing, housing demand, and the rise of data‑center‑driven digital infrastructure. A must‑listen for leaders navigating the future of the built environment.

How can the engineering industry attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent? On this episode of Engineering Influence, ACEC sits down with Tera Kaltsas, Designer Initiative Lead and Employee Experience Specialist at Kimley-Horn, to discuss innovative workforce development strategies that are helping shape the future of the profession.

Tera shares insights into Kimley-Horn’s and Autodesk's new initiative for talent development, employee engagement, and leadership cultivation, this groundbreaking partnership with two-year colleges to create new pathways into engineering and related careers.

Tune in to learn how these initiatives are expanding opportunities, strengthening the talent pipeline, and helping meet the workforce demands of a rapidly evolving industry.

Whether you're an engineering leader, HR professional, educator, or student, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.

In this episode, ACEC’s Jeff Urbanchuk sits down with Jack Hsueh of Autodesk to explore how engineering firms can deliver more with constrained resources through digital project delivery.

From connected data and collaborative workflows to automation and digital twins, they discuss how technology is transforming project execution across the industry. Jack shares insights from major initiatives like the LA28 Olympics and PennDOT, highlighting the importance of object-level data and interoperable systems to reduce rework, save time, and improve outcomes.

The conversation also dives into the evolving role of AI in AEC, including automation, augmentation, analysis, Autodesk’s AEC data model, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the Autodesk Assistant bringing context-aware AI directly into design tools.

The episode concludes with practical advice for firms looking to build capacity and resilience: treat digital delivery as a business strategy, invest in digital literacy, create repeatable processes, and pilot AI with clear governance.

🎧 Listen now and learn how firms can unlock greater efficiency, better decision-making, and stronger project outcomes through digital transformation.

On the latest episode of Engineering Influence, former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders Bill Shuster and Peter DeFazio come together for a candid discussion on the future of America's infrastructure. Drawing on years of bipartisan leadership, they reflect on major transportation investments, lessons learned in Congress, and the opportunities ahead to strengthen the nation's infrastructure and economy. 

Tune in to hear their insights on policy, project delivery, and the vital role engineers play in building a more connected and resilient America.