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.

Quantum Research 02/18/2026

Quantum Research Peggy talks about new quantum research at universities and some case studies. She says quantum could add trillions of dollars to the world’s economy and thousands of jobs—but we need to ensure we have a strategy around security and implementation. She also discusses: · Quantum photonics—and how it is key to the future of mass-produced quantum communications systems. · A map of where quantum courses can be found at higher education institutions. · Energy-efficient superconductors that will speed quantum technologies. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40156005

Quantum: Science vs Mythology 02/18/2026

Quantum: Science vs Mythology Peggy Smedley and Scott Aaronson, chair of computer science, University of Texas, Austin, and director of Quantum Information Science Center, separate the science from the mythology of quantum. He says there has been a hope for decades that quantum computers would be useful beyond the two more common quantum tasks. They also discuss: · What limit the field still underestimates. · How an organization should proceed—and if there is a roadmap to consider. · How to educate students—and ultimately look forward. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40155905

Markets in Motion 02/18/2026

Markets in Motion Peggy Smedley and Deborah Farone, CEO, Farone Advisors, and author of Breaking Ground, talk about the shift with data. She says technology will make it easier to go out and develop business, but the hard thing is markets are constantly in motion. They also discuss: · What data we should collect and what data we need. · Data kept can tell stories if it is put in the right place. · What she learned by talking to women about how to prepare for the future—and three key traits of these women. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40155835

The Three Pillars of Quantum 02/11/2026

The Three Pillars of Quantum Peggy dissects the three pillars of quantum technology: quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications. She says the quantum revolution is inevitable and the new innovations that could come as a result of this are exciting. She also discusses: · The growth anticipated for the entire market and for each pillar. · The opportunities that exist within each pillar. · The inherent risks companies will face, such as Q-Day. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40078180

4D at Work 02/11/2026

4D at Work Peggy Smedley and Morgan Hays, senior director product management, construction, Bentley Systems, talk about 4D modeling and what comes next with the help of AI (artificial intelligence). He says 4D modeling and 4D-based planning is a massive step forward in the way the construction industry plans both during preconstruction and during execution. They also discuss: · The marriage that occurs between the reality capture and the model—and how technology is advancing to enable greater data sharing. · How 4D is being democratized, becoming available to everyone. · Several case studies of how 4D can help on projects. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40078120

Robots and Your Workforce 02/11/2026

Robots and Your Workforce Peggy Smedley and Tim Lindner, warehouse automation consultant, talk about robots and what they really mean for workforce trends. He says he sees a shift in the type of people that companies that deploy robots will need. Enter the robot wrangler. They also discuss: · If robots are displacing workers—or if they are replacing the work. · Blending machine intelligence with human intelligence. · The movie robot that is most like the humanoid robot you can expect to work with. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/40078045

Aiglatson: Promise vs Peril 02/04/2026

Aiglatson: Promise vs Peril Peggy and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about the promise versus the peril of Aiglatson. He says the difficulty is the risk isn’t so much on the AI, the risk is on humanity giving up its responsibility to AI. They also discuss: · The most credible existential risks of AI. · How Aiglatson leaders should benchmark them against other risks. · A comparison of AI to other historical innovations such as the printing press. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39998505

Humanoid Robots Come Alive 02/04/2026

Humanoid Robots Come Alive Peggy Smedley interviews Tim Lindner, warehouse automation consultant, about how humanoid robots and robots in general have had a big impact since we started talking about them in 2015. He says there are a number of examples in history when something was in a fixed position, and it began to move. They also discuss: · If AI is changing the capabilities of robots, compared to even five years ago. · How logistics and distribution companies can adapt to changing robots. · Places where we will come into contact with humanoid robots. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39998425

Automotive at CES 2026 01/28/2026

Automotive at CES 2026 Peggy talks about all things automotive, sharing some of the top takeaways from CES earlier this month. She says we are at a precipice where much is set to change in the industry, with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) spurring along innovation. She also discusses: · The state of the AV (autonomous vehicle) market. · The state of the EV (electric vehicle) market. · Some of the biggest automotive news to come out of CES—and how to prepare for what comes next. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39914690

The Blur between Security and Privacy 01/28/2026

The Blur between Security and Privacy Peggy Smedley and Jennifer Urban, partner, Foley & Lardner, and Aaron Tantleff, partner, Foley & Lardner, talk about a seismic data shift in every modern enterprise and how the lines are blurring between security and privacy. Urban says it is driven by new cybersecurity laws. Tantleff says undefined ownership of the role is a challenge. They also discuss: · If organizations are prepared to justify why they collect data—not just how to protect that data. · How we can prepare the next generation of workers. · The risks versus the rewards and what they should or shouldn’t be tracking. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39914385

M&As: Inquiring Minds Want to Know 01/21/2026

M&As: Inquiring Minds Want to Know Peggy Smedley talks about M&As (mergers and acquisitions) in the construction technology space—and the impact on the industry. She says the acquisitions are often about accelerating transformation through strategic dealmaking. She also discusses: · Four key trends driving a wave of consolidation. · One recent example of an acquisition. · Thoughts for how to proceed in the year ahead. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39817920

Inside Engineers Without Borders 01/21/2026

Inside Engineers Without Borders Peggy Smedley and Boris Martin, CEO, Engineers Without Borders USA, talk about community-driven engineering and the next generation of work in the industry. He says the organization was born around the turn of the millennium 25 years ago, and it was born out of a concern and sense of responsibility. They also discuss: · Solving problems that matter and being part of something bigger than yourself. · Three principles for Engineers Without Borders. · AI (artificial intelligence) and the impact it will have on the engineering community. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39817835

Top Tech Considerations for 2026 01/21/2026

Top Tech Considerations for 2026 Peggy Smedley and Daniel Burrus, a global technology futurist, business strategist and disruptive innovation expert, talk about the top technologies for 2026. He says we live in an increasingly technological world, however, we live in a human world—and in a human world, it is all based on relationships. They also discuss: · How to approach generative AI (artificial intelligence) and agentic AI in the year ahead. · The importance of keeping people at the center of strategies. · When quantum will jump from theory to impact. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39817755

Digital Burnout and AI 01/15/2026

Digital Burnout and AI What if people don’t embrace technology the way we are anticipating or even intend? Peggy talks about digital burnout and AI (artificial intelligence). She says digital transformation isn’t about using more technology but rather using technology in a way that is very thoughtful and strategic. She also discusses: · How many people experience digital burnout—and how it impacts our personal and professional lives. · Tips for how to implement digital transformation at scale. · When technology adoption will be the most successful. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39740120

Construction Economics: Noise versus Signals 01/15/2026

Construction Economics: Noise versus Signals Peggy Smedley and Brandon Michalski, chief economist, MSI, talk about two new reports that look at what is happening now and what is coming in the future. He says he looks at the noise versus the signal, and points to a few key areas as examples. They also discuss: · Tariffs and how it might impact the construction industry in 2026. · The surge in data center projects that will reshape infrastructure for years to come—and how retail factors in. · What will likely unfold in 2026 in construction—and how projects are being reshaped. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39740025

U.S. Economic Outlook 01/15/2026

U.S. Economic Outlook Peggy Smedley and James Bohnaker, senior economist, Cushman & Wakefield, dig into some of the biggest takeaways from the latest U.S. economic outlook. He says there is a transition from resilience to cautious optimism, with inflection points across commercial real estate and property types, which is presenting opportunities in the industry. They also discuss: · Resilience and risks that are defining our economy. · Where investors are focusing their energy. · How AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping market landscape. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39739930

Aiglatson: Utopian and Dystopian Narratives 01/08/2026

Aiglatson: Utopian and Dystopian Narratives Peggy and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about aiglatson and the extremes that define our digital destiny, looking at both the utopian and dystopian narratives. He says the reality of automation often turns into something else. They also discusses: · The theory of cultural lag and how it impacts technology adoption. · The information super highway phase and Y2K period of AI (artificial intelligence). · If AI could be the aiglatson silver bullet—and inherent dangers. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39658705

Preparing for 2026 01/08/2026

Preparing for 2026 Peggy Smedley and Dan Miklovic, founder, Lean Manufacturing Research and leader, Third Eye Advisory, talk about what is real, what is BS, and what is next in 2026. He says we are going to see AI (artificial intelligence) penetrate manufacturing, but more in the form of embedded AI—not generative AI. They also discuss: · The challenge with digital transformation. · AI at the edge and AI in the cloud. · How to prepare for the future. /episode/index/show/peggysmedley/id/39658630

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

Peggy Smedley Show

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