The ConTechCrew

The Real Impact of AI in Construction for Leaders to Tackle Broken Processes and Data Centre Demands

The ConTechCrew

Show Notes

In this special roundtable episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample is joined by Jonathan Marsh, CEO of SteelToe Consulting and a technology strategist, Nathan Wood, Founder & Chief Enabling Officer At SpectrumAEC, Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Jacob D’Albora, Director of Digital Building Operations at VIATechnik for a spirited conversation on the convergence of AI and construction. With insights rooted in practical experience, the group digs into what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s starting to deliver value on jobsites and across the back office. The first half of the episode tackles the evolving conversation around AI - from technical distinctions between LLMs and traditional models, to the construction implications of large data center builds, labor disruption, and the accelerating demand for faster delivery. This isn't just a news recap - it's a temperature check on where the industry actually is with AI.

Key Learnings: AI success depends on clearly understanding indeterminate vs determinate systems. General-purpose AI tools are giving way to custom-trained, domain-specific models. Speed-to-market is now a bigger priority than cost in many projects. Data center buildouts are driving unprecedented infrastructure urgency. AI may help streamline construction processes but only with quality inputs. The labor shortage is shifting from field crews to project managers and assistants.

Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction [04:38] - Jonathan breaks down AI model trends [06:41] - Determinate vs indeterminate systems [13:51] - AI’s role in workforce augmentation [19:02] - Consensus, standardization & AI process help [23:58] - The problem with over-promising AI [30:01] - Permitting, tariffs & volatility [35:11] - Why contractors hesitate to say no

Follow the Jacob D’Albora & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdalbora/ LinkedIn(Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/viatechnik/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpdalbora/?hl=en Instagram(Company): https://www.instagram.com/via.technik/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpdalbora/

Follow Travis Voss & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-voss/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travis.voss.336 Website: https://www.constructiondorks.com/ LinkedIn(Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/smacna/ Website(Company): https://www.smacna.org/ Facebook(Company): https://www.facebook.com/SMACNA Twitter(Company): https://x.com/smacna Instagram(Company): https://www.instagram.com/smacna/

Follow Jonathan Marsh & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdmsteeltoe LinkedIn(Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/steel-toe-consulting-llc/ Website: https://www.steeltoeconsulting.com/

Follow Nathan Wood & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanaec/ LinkedIn(Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectrumaec/ Twitter(company): https://x.com/spectrumaec?

Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/

Follow The ConTech Crew: Website: https://thecontechcrew.com/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew Twitter: https://x.com/TheConTechCrew

More from The ConTechCrew

Oct 13, 2026

In this episode, hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Hood sit down with Brian Tracy, Director of Construction Management at Ausonio Incorporated, to explore a more sustainable approach to construction technology: people first, process second, product third. Brian shares lessons from his career in construction management, technology strategy, teaching, and training, including the ideas behind Managing Construction Technology. The conversation goes beyond individual tools to examine why technology implementations fail, how owners and construction managers can influence change, the importance of interoperability and shared standards, and why the industry's future may depend more on thoughtful evolution than wholesale disruption.

Sep 29, 2026

Construction runs on communication. Superintendents, foremen, subcontractors, suppliers, and project teams make countless decisions through phone calls and conversations every day. The problem is that those decisions don’t always make it into project documentation and a seemingly small missed detail can lead to expensive rework. In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample sits down with Karly Heffernan and Alena Tuttle, co-founders of Hardline, to explore how technology can capture the conversations already happening in the field without forcing construction teams into entirely new workflows.

Sep 15, 2026

Trade contractors operate at the center of some of construction’s most complex workflows; estimating, procurement, scheduling, fabrication, field execution, change management, and closeout, yet their critical project data often lives across disconnected systems. In this episode, the crew previews Trimble Dimensions 2026 and sits down with Yael Hanan, co-founder and CEO of Pelles AI, to explore how AI could help trade contractors connect those fragmented systems without forcing them to abandon the tools and workflows they already rely on.

Sep 1, 2026

Construction is facing a growing labor shortage while jobsite safety and productivity remain major challenges. In this episode, host Jeff Sample is joined by Shamoon Siddiqui, founder of Human Friendly Robotics, who explains why the future of construction automation isn't humanoid robots. It’s purpose-built robots designed to solve specific, repetitive tasks. From robotic tile installation to intelligent wire pulling, Shamoon shares how robotics can enhance skilled trades by protecting workers' bodies, improving reliability, and helping the industry scale without replacing craftsmanship.

Aug 18, 2026

What does it take to launch and grow a successful commercial construction company in today's market? In this episode, host Jeff Sample invites Melissa Drew to share her journey from spending two decades with a national contractor to building a nimble construction management firm focused on large-scale government projects. The conversation explores how smaller contractors can compete with industry giants by prioritizing relationships, quality, planning, and practical technology over unnecessary complexity. Melissa also shares hard-earned lessons on bonding capacity, company growth, and choosing technology that delivers real value.

See all episodes →