Picking up where they left off, James Taylor and Eric Helitzer dig into how AI actually works in SubBase: voice-to-text requests from the field, automatic terminology translation between superintendents and vendors, and invoice reconciliation that eliminates the manual matching grind. Eric explains that different trades order differently, and the platform needs to reflect real workflows, not force new ones, to drive adoption.
The conversation broadens to what civil engineers and owners consistently get wrong. Eric advocates for more field time, earlier contractor involvement in design, and thorough geotechnical work upfront because underground surprises cost 10x more to fix mid-job. He wraps up the conversation with advice on embracing technology, attracting younger talent, and the two things he'd tell a civil engineering student in an elevator: get in the field and remember your designs affect every trade, not just the civil contractor.
Chapters[Start] AI, Layered Right: Voice requests, automated reconciliation, and building interfaces that match how different trades actually order materials.
04:02 What Engineers Miss: Getting out of the office, involving contractors in design, and why constructability reviews catch problems before they're expensive.
06:44 The Underground Gamble: Why cutting corners on geotechnical investigation stalls jobs, delays critical paths, and forces costly redesigns.
09:35 Don't Fear the Change: Cultural buy-in from the top, showing younger talent where the industry's headed, and treating tech adoption as investment, not expense.
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