Peggy Smedley Show

The #1 podcast at the intersection of IoT, AI, and Future of Work—if it’s revolutionizing industries, Peggy’s talking about it. Each week on The Peggy Smedley Show, she delivers cutting-edge perspectives from top experts, keeping 150,000+ listeners ahead of the curve.

950 Episodes: M2M Memory Lane 12/17/2025

950 Episodes: M2M Memory Lane Peggy celebrates 950 episodes by taking a walk down memory lane. She shares the evolution of M2M, the IoT (Internet of Things), and AI (artificial intelligence), saying the IoT has matured from gadget hype to industrial backbone. She also discusses: · The peaks and the fads through almost two decades. · The explosion of AI in recent years. · Where we are today—and what comes next. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39446325

The Evolution of Digital Twins 12/17/2025

The Evolution of Digital Twins Peggy Smedley and Julien Moutte, chief technology officer, Bentley Systems, talk about how the digital twin is evolving—and what is coming in the next five years with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence). He says five years ago when we were talking about digital twins, many people were saying it is still a buzzword, and it is amazing to see what has happened in the past five years. They also discuss: · The importance of data interoperability to achieve smarter infrastructure across the lifecycle of a project. · The convergence of digital twin, BIM (building information modeling), GIS (geographic information systems), and the IoT (Internet of Things). · His approach to fostering a culture of innovation, as a CTO. · Partnerships and acquisitions at the company. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39446180

Symbiotic: Sustainability, Productivity, and Profitability 12/17/2025

Symbiotic: Sustainability, Productivity, and Profitability How do we make sustainability not just a goal, but a competitive advantage? Peggy Smedley and Kiva Allgood, advisor, World Economic Forum, tackle this question. She says sustainability, productivity, and profitability are symbiotic. They also discuss: · Best practices for Scope 3. · How small and medium enterprises can improve sustainability. · A case study of a time cost study at one manufacturer. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39446080

Top 5 from 2025 12/10/2025

Top 5 from 2025 Peggy shares her list of top 5 trends from 2025 that were discussed on the show. She says we must learn from 2025 in order to head into 2026 stronger than ever before—and we must learn from the past year to prepare for the next. She also discusses: · The rise of agentic AI (artificial intelligence) in 2025. · Two vertical industries that saw major disruption in 2025. · How the workforce fit into all these conversations. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39359545

Lessons for Manufacturing 12/10/2025

Lessons for Manufacturing Peggy Smedley and Kiva Allgood, advisor, World Economic Forum, talk about how lessons can help guide the next era of manufacturing. She says the World Economic Forum works at the intersection of industry, academia, and policy—and also as a part of that it gets the opportunity to pause, as part of the Global Lighthouse Network. They also discuss: · The IoT (Internet of Things) and the importance of machine data—and how the hype cycle and the investment cycle play out. · How to scale effectively in small, medium, and large companies. · The talent gap in small and medium-sized enterprises—and the direct correlation between people and tech. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39359415

2025 Review: Gen AI to Agentic AI 12/10/2025

2025 Review: Gen AI to Agentic AI Peggy Smedley and Dan Miklovic, founder, Lean Manufacturing Research and leader, Third Eye Advisory, look back at the biggest trends from 2025. He says everyone has been bombarded with AI: Q1 was gen AI and we hadn’t got halfway through the year before the conversation switched to agentic AI—and manufacturers don’t move that fast. They also discuss: · The next evolution of a smart factory—and the role of AI. · How to best use data in manufacturing. · The employment numbers—and the importance of having the right people. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39359305

Unpacking Aiglatson 12/04/2025

Unpacking Aiglatson Peggy Smedley and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, unpack aiglatson. He says it is an emotional word, specifically about the future—or more specifically a sentimental longing for the future, which is the opposite of future shock. They also discuss: · The marriage metaphor and how it applies to aiglatson. · The importance of counting the costs of whatever decisions you make right now. · Where the vision for data centers and AI (artificial intelligence) comes from—and the ethics around it. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39266670

Will the AI Bubble Burst 12/04/2025

Will the AI Bubble Burst AI (artificial intelligence) or die? Is construction the next frontier for AI? Peggy Smedley and Timber Barker, CEO and founder, Boom Interactive, talk about why there needs to be a platform that turns floor plans into living records, unifying project data and unlocking spatial detail for AI innovation. He says this is a very exciting time for the construction industry—and it is a little protected. They also discuss: · If there will be an AI bubble that will burst—and how it compares to the dot-com bubble. · The three layers of AI in construction. · What the future of software will look like. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39266650

The Cost of Downtime in Manufacturing 11/26/2025

The Cost of Downtime in Manufacturing Peggy unpacks the numbers that show the cost of downtime in the manufacturing industry, saying organizations need to treat reliability as a core business strategy. She says we need to start taking a proactive approach to downtime prevention and leverage AI (artificial intelligence) and the IoT (Internet of Things). She also discusses: How many U.S. manufacturers were hit by unplanned downtime in the past year. How much money of lost capital there is every week. How many say their companies take a reactive approach to maintenance. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39185770

Manufacturing in the Midwest 11/26/2025

Manufacturing in the Midwest Peggy Smedley and Tim Carpenter, president and CEO, Timpte, and Andy Bednar, general manager, Lincoln Manufacturing Center, talk about a new $28 million facility investment, what it produces, and key drivers for opening the facility. Carpenter explains why the business was created and how it serves its customers—and how things evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bednar talks about the pride of having the business in the community. They also discuss: > Tariffs and the importance of being laser focused. > Why diversification is key to keeping people gainfully employed. > Technologies used such as ERP (enterprise-resource planning) and predictive analytics. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39185400

A Q4 2025 Update on Construction Tariffs 11/26/2025

A Q4 2025 Update on Construction Tariffs Peggy Smedley and James Bohnaker, senior economist, Cushman & Wakefield, discuss tariffs and where the construction industry is headed. He says there is still a lot of uncertainty and it is shifting a lot. They also discuss: · Recent U.S. trade policies impacting construction materials. · Who bears the burden of the cost. · The broader implication for tech and building infrastructure like data centers. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39185305

AI Performance Test: Pass or Fail? 11/19/2025

AI Performance Test: Pass or Fail? Peggy talks about a new benchmark that tests AI models on real freelance projects—and what percentage of AI systems complete tasks at professional human standards. She says we need to consider AI our partner in crime, but we need to determine how to augment, not replace. She also discusses: · The state of the market. · Some of the biggest hurdles we still face today. · How two key trends are colliding at the exact same time. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39101580

Why Startups Fail 11/19/2025

Why Startups Fail Peggy Smedley and Eddie Hartman, partner & board member at Simon-Kucher Partners, and coauthor of Scaling Innovation: How Smart Companies Architect Profitable Growth, talk about why startups fail. He says if you created something people want to buy and pay for, then your startup wouldn’t fail, and we must begin with the question: but do they? They also discuss: · Pricing, packaging, and go-to-market strategy. · The Blockbuster phenomenon—and how markets shift. · What a single-engine track is—and how to become a profitable growth architect. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39101415

Meet Your AI Agents 11/19/2025

Meet Your AI Agents Peggy Smedley and Reddy Mallidi, AI strategist, and author, Leading With AI Agents, talk about how AI agents are transforming industries. He says AI agents represent something fundamentally different than ChatGPT, and the distinction matters for manufacturing leaders. They also discuss: · How they represent a shift from reactive to proactive intelligent partners. · Examples of how to scale with AI agents. · What keeps manufacturing executives up at night. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39101060

The Workforce Shift 11/12/2025

The Workforce Shift Peggy talks about how as the use of AI (artificial intelligence) grows, the role of the workforce will evolve. She says job roles will shift, organizations will be disrupted, and business models will need to evolve, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but is a reality that we all must face. She also discusses: · A recent report that aims to look at the future of work and the role of generative AI—highlighting how it will change jobs. · Four distinct categories based on their potential to be transformed by gen AI—and some of the jobs in each category. · Why soft skills and durable skills will become more important than ever before—and why we need to start building AI fluency today. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39012325

At the Supply Chain with Agentic AI 11/12/2025

At the Supply Chain with Agentic AI Peggy Smedley and David Esposito, industry advisor for logistics, transportation, and supply chain, Microsoft Manufacturing and Mobility, talk about how we can leverage AI (artificial intelligence) agents to help in the supply chain. He says since the pandemic it has been nothing but disruption in this industry. There is overcapacity, oversupply, and tariff uncertainties, just to name a few. They also discuss: · How companies are repositioning operations. · Why it is important to always have a human in the loop and why resiliency matters. · Examples of companies that are taking a step forward with agentic AI in the supply chain—and the benefits they are seeing within weeks. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39012130

Fragmented No More: Smart Buildings of Tomorrow 11/12/2025

Fragmented No More: Smart Buildings of Tomorrow Peggy Smedley and Sam Barker, VP of global telecom market research, Juniper Research, talk about what is driving the surge in global smart building platforms. He says this is driven by many factors including the energy crisis and the ability to monitor and have greater visibility of the energy we are using. They also discuss: · If interoperability is still a barrier and if anything is changing here. · Connectivity and how the market has become saturated. · The IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (artificial intelligence) and how each comes into play in smart buildings. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39012005

The Introduction of Aiglatson 11/05/2025

The Introduction of Aiglatson Peggy kicks off a new show, Aiglatson, where the future isn’t just imagined, it is felt. She is joined by cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, who says aiglatson is more than a word, it is a mindset, and it is about preferring the dreams of the future to the experiences of the past. They also discuss: · The definition and meaning of the word aiglatson—and who and why the term was coined. · Comparing and contrasting nostalgia and aiglatson through a historical and future lens—and the concept of a used future. · How the future is going to be engineered and how we are going to feel about it with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence). /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38927955

Drowning in a Costly Disconnect 11/05/2025

Drowning in a Costly Disconnect If embedded super intelligence at the core of factory operations enabling custom software to be built in 24 hours instead of 18 months bridged the chasm that exists between management, vision, and operational reality, would you do it? Peggy talks with Dan Miklovic, founder, Lean Manufacturing Research and leader, Third Eye Advisory, and Radu Spineanu, founder, Humble Operations, about how American manufacturing is drowning in a costly disconnect. They also discuss: · How Humble Operations wants to help rewrite the rules of the enterprise software in manufacturing. · What processes companies should tackle first and how to optimize the core, critical, essential function of business. · If there are specific legacy systems to consider—and if adding new on top of old creates challenges. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38927810

Fueling Transportation with Digital Transformation 10/29/2025

Fueling Transportation with Digital Transformation Peggy looks at the global trends impacting the transportation and logistics sector, sharing how technologies are evolving to meet growing demands. She says digital transformation, decarbonization, and other emerging technologies are going to need to fuel the new demands required. She also discusses: · How much will be required to fuel this infrastructure vertical through 2040. · The top factors at play that must be considered in transportation. · The steps to take to embrace innovation in the days ahead. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38831400

Cyber Resilience in Manufacturing 10/29/2025

Cyber Resilience in Manufacturing Peggy Smedley and Kory Daniels, chief security and trust officer, LevelBlue, talk about cyber resilience in manufacturing and findings from a new report. He says resilience is very simply a bend, but do not break mentality for the organization. They also discuss: · The biggest wakeup call from a recent report. · What threat actors are embracing. · If this needs to start top, down—and how to best ensure resilience. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38831260

Here Come the Robots 10/29/2025

Here Come the Robots Peggy Smedley interviews Tim Lindner, warehouse automation consultant, about how Amazon thinks it can replace 160,000 jobs with robots. He shares Amazon’s history of robotics, saying this shouldn’t come as a surprise to people based on their history with robotics. They also discuss: · How it plans to automate 75% of its operations. · Circularity in the days since the Industrial Revolution—and where robots will end up. · Robotics as a service—and what this means for the future of warehouse automation. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38831060

$23 Trillion for Energy 10/22/2025

$23 Trillion for Energy Peggy zooms in on one of the seven critical infrastructure verticals: energy and power, which is projected to require a staggering $23 trillion in investment through 2040. She unpacks the global trends shaping the sector—from the rise of renewables to digital transformation—and explores how we must rethink infrastructure to meet rising expectations. She also discusses: · Why energy demand is rising and how renewable energy and low-carbon sources will come into play. · The emerging role of small modular reactors and what countries are already taking action. · The need for grid resilience—and how digital twins, edge, and AI (artificial intelligence) can help. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38746355

AI Outlook in Construction 10/22/2025

AI Outlook in Construction Peggy Smedley and Anil Sawhney, head of sustainability, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), and Kay Pitman, sustainability analyst, RICS, talk about the highlights from a new AI (artificial intelligence) and construction report 2025, current rates of adoption, blockers to adoption, and the outlook. He says the report was an outcome from conversations and a survey from members who are at the forefront of technology. Pitman says the technology is rapidly evolving, and AI has the potential to reshape the industry. They also discuss: · How many construction respondents reported no use of AI. · The widening gap between investment ambition and organizational readiness. · Two levels we need to think about when we think about AI. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38746220

The Real Cost of Not Reskilling 10/22/2025

The Real Cost of Not Reskilling Peggy Smedley and Dan Miklovic, founder, Lean Manufacturing Research and leader, Third Eye Advisory, talk about the real cost behind not investing in reskilling and if a talent gap is on the horizon already. He says it depends on how you define it because there are going to be skills by 2030 that we don’t even know we need yet. They also discuss: · Where the biggest risk lies. · One of the prime reasons workers leave companies. · Where the real skill lies today—and how durable skills come into play. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38746145

The $106 Trillion Question 10/16/2025

The $106 Trillion Question Peggy takes a hard look at the staggering $106 trillion question: how will we build the infrastructure of tomorrow? She breaks down a major new report that maps the future of global infrastructure investment through 2040 and shares a real-world case study in Indiana. She also discusses: · Seven verticals where investment will be needed. · How infrastructure is shifting from centralized and government-led to tech-enabled, modular, and market-driven. · Why redefining infrastructure is no longer optional—and what leaders must do next. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38606165

AI in Government 10/16/2025

AI in Government Peggy Smedley and Joe Scheidler, cofounder and CEO, Helios, pull back the curtain on the real issues that plague government, discussing why most AI (artificial intelligence) platforms fail in government environments. He says you can see so many pain points and inefficiencies and there aren’t many solutions in policy for several reasons. They also discuss: · The pace of policy—and how technology can help. · Acting locally—and thinking and reacting globally. · Where innovation is going to take us in government—and how to measure success. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38606060

The Link between Mental Health and Safety 10/16/2025

The Link between Mental Health and Safety Peggy Smedley and Dane Linn, senior vice president of corporate initiatives, Business Roundtable, talk about making safety central to corporate culture. He says the mental health initiative is really focused on helping CEOs address some of the mental health needs of their employees and their families, saying mental health is essential for employee wellbeing and business performance. They also discuss: · Y How mental health and wellbeing have become a core element to safety. · Core pillars of the mental health initiative. · Case studies—and why it is important to hear other approaches to mental health. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38605915

Tech Reality Check 10/08/2025

Tech Reality Check As the year comes to a close, Peggy has a reality check: can we really trust today’s tech predictions? She takes listeners on a journey through past forecasts and unpacks why many bold claims never quite lived up to the hype—and gives her thoughts on how to turn this into action and strategy. She also discusses: · Why historical hindsight is necessary. · Why so many predictions miss the mark—and what it means for your business. · Critical questions every leader should ask before acting on the next forecast. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38514335

AI Shapes the Manufacturing Frontline Worker 10/08/2025

AI Shapes the Manufacturing Frontline Worker Peggy Smedley and Rahul Shahani, partner, McKinsey & Co., talk about AI (artificial intelligence) in manufacturing and the frontline worker. He says the core work of manufacturing doesn’t change, but AI will bring new capabilities to manufacturing. They also discuss: · How agentic AI can help build an optimal production schedule, bringing higher quality products and empowering the workers with dynamic scheduling. · How to train and engage the frontline worker alongside AI and how leaders can prepare. · That tech is only 20% of the fully loaded spend to change the way a process or business works to embrace AI—and what the other 80% is. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/38514245

Peggy Smedley Show

TOPICS