Structural Intelligence Podcast

I Stopped Trying to Hire a Developer and Just Built It Myself w/ Nick Heim

"What if the firms falling behind on AI aren't the ones that tried it and failed, but the ones still waiting to understand what has already changed?" Most engineering firms are still treating AI as something to evaluate from a distance. The conversation inside the industry remains focused on readiness, risk, and the right time to start. Meanwhile, a smaller group has already moved past that question. They are building internal tools, automating workflows, and rethinking how engineering value is delivered when intelligence becomes available on demand. In this episode, Owen sits down with Nick Heim, PE, Structural Engineer and Technology Advisor at StructureCare and Trinovate, and host of the AEC AI & Tech Strategy Podcast. With over 100 episodes interviewing engineers and firm leaders across the AEC sector, Nick has one of the clearest views of where firms actually sit on the adoption curve and what separates the ones moving fast from the ones watching. They cover what AI agents actually mean for engineering workflows, why building your own tools is now realistic for any engineer willing to experiment, and how field capture technology is quietly transforming inspection and reporting. What emerges from this conversation is that the real differentiator is not software. It is curiosity and leadership. The firms compounding advantage right now are led by people who are personally in the tools, building intuition through experimentation rather than delegating innovation downward and waiting for a strategy to arrive. If you are an engineer, firm leader, or technology builder trying to understand where the profession is actually heading, this episode shows what practical progress looks like. Key Takeaways: * The engineering profession is splitting into firms building with AI and firms still observing. The gap between them is widening faster than most realise. * AI agents combine language model reasoning with deterministic tools like code and calculators. The engineer's role shifts to directing, contextualising, and verifying outputs, not replacing judgment. * Before automating anything, fix your data and map your workflows. The firms getting real results from AI have usually sorted those two foundations first. * Domain expertise is now a build advantage. Engineers who understand the problem can use tools like Cursor and Claude to build internal apps without a software development team. * Curiosity is the compounding advantage. The firms moving fastest are not necessarily the largest. They are led by people who experiment hands-on, build intuition early, and iterate quickly. Timestamps: [00:00] - Episode Highlights [02:43] - Welcome and Introduction [03:45] - Nick's Background and Journey [09:00] - The Firm Adoption Gap [11:27] - Intelligence on Tap: The Business Model Shift [16:37] - What AI Agents Actually Are [21:26] - Engineers Building Their Own Apps [27:18] - Tool Stack for Curious Engineers [31:05] - Data and Workflow Fundamentals [34:18] - Automating a Small Engineering Firm [37:32] - Field Capture and Inspection Technology [43:09] - Curiosity as the Competitive Advantage 🔗 Guest: Nick Heim, PE Structural Engineer & Technology Advisor at StructureCare / Trinovate Website: https://trinovate.ai/ [https://trinovate.ai/] LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/structurecare%C2%AE/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/structurecare%C2%AE/] LinkedIn (Nick Heim): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasheim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasheim/] 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW [https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw] VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai [https://www.voiceinspect.ai] 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

SPACEGASS and the Evolution of Legacy Tools for the New Era (w/ Ben James)

“How can our beloved engineering tools evolve for the future?”Most structural engineering workflows still rely on disconnected tools, manual processes, and time-consuming iterations, where engineers spend as much time managing data as they do making decisions. In this episode, I sit down with Ben James, CEO of SPACE GASS, to explore how engineering software is evolving in the age of AI, automation, and interconnected systems. From his journey as a consulting engineer to leading one of Australia’s most widely used structural analysis platforms, Ben shares how tools are becoming more powerful, more connected, and more central to the way engineers work.But as technology accelerates, the conversation shifts beyond software itself. Ben and Owen unpack what it really means to keep “the engineer in the loop”, why fundamentals matter more than ever, and how the best engineers will use these tools to amplify their judgment, not replace it. Whether you’re an engineer, consultant, or simply interested in the future of technical work, this episode explores the balance between innovation and expertise, and why the next evolution of engineering is not just smarter tools, but smarter workflows built around them.🔑 Key Takeaways:- Engineering software is evolving from isolated tools into connected ecosystems where data flows seamlessly.- AI increases speed, iteration, and output, but shifts value toward human judgment, interpretation, and decision-making.- The most effective engineers understand what technology can do, even if they don’t build it themselves.- Modern engineering teams increasingly require software expertise to automate processes and integrate systems effectively.- Innovation enhances engineering capability, but strong fundamentals and mentorship remain essential for reliable outcomes.⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Engineering Meets AI Evolution4:05 - From Engineer to CEO8:11 - Engineer-Build Software Advantage14:03 - Disconnected Engineering workflows17:20 - AI in Fixing Workflows24:46 - Lowering the Barrier with AI30:13 - Engineers vs Software Complexity35:11 - Why Engineers Need Developers40:00 - Experience Still Matters Most46:00 - Guiding Engineers in the AI Era🔗 Guest: Ben JamesCEO of SPACE GASSWebsite: https://www.spacegass.com/LinkedIn (Company): https://au.linkedin.com/company/space-gassLinkedIn (Ben James): https://au.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjjames🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.#EngineeringFuture #Enginnering #TechInnovation

Detecting Structural Defects From a Photo w/ Ralph Noronha

“What if detecting critical structural defects was as easy as uploading a photo?” Most structural inspections still rely on manual site visits, ladders, and visual checks, leaving room for missed defects, costly delays, and safety risks. In this episode I sit down with Ralph Noronha, founder of Defectech, to explore how AI, drones, and 3D modeling are transforming the way engineers detect and manage structural defects. Ralph shares the story behind building a bootstrap startup that turns ordinary images into actionable insights, enabling faster, safer, and more scalable inspections without sacrificing accuracy. From the technical challenges of training bespoke machine learning models to the human side of entrepreneurship, Ralph explains how Defectech balances risk, innovation, and real-world impact. Whether you’re an engineer, asset owner, or tech enthusiast, this conversation reveals how modern tools are redefining inspection workflows, making defect detection as easy as uploading a photo, and why the future of structural intelligence is about combining technology with practical expertise. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - Traditional inspections miss defects; AI and drones make detection faster, safer, and more complete. - Photos become actionable 3D models, turning raw data into precise insight. - Bespoke machine learning models require meticulous data, annotation, and hyperparameter tuning. - Effective adoption depends on human judgment, trust, and workflow design not just technology. - Founders succeed by leveraging strengths, iterating fast, and learning from failure under tight resources. ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 - Engineering Meets Innovation 04:53 - From Banking To Startup 08:56 - Founder Mindset and Motivation 12:23 - AI-Powered Defect Detection 17:53 - Building and Training AI Models 22:05 - Using Defectech In Practice 26:48 - Recognition, Adoption, And Future Insights 31:27 - Asset Storytelling And Predictive Insights 35:22 - Customer Focus And Common Defects 40:53 - AI Impact And Closing Thoughts 🔗 Guest: Ralph Noronha Co-Founder of Defectech Website: https://www.defectech.com.au/ LinkedIn (Company): https://au.linkedin.com/company/defectech LinkedIn (Ralph Noronha): https://au.linkedin.com/in/ralnor 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes. #Engineering #Technology #Innovation

Stop Relying on “Representative” Inspections, Here’s Why w/ Derek Feebrey

“What if the biggest risk to our infrastructure isn’t corrosion, cracking, or ageing, but the assumptions we still make?” Most asset inspections rely on “representative sampling”, checking a handful of areas and extrapolating the rest. But in complex, ageing buildings, that approach can quietly hide defects, increase risk, and lead to expensive surprises later. In this episode of the Structural Intelligence Podcast, host Owen Keenan sits down with Derek Feebrey, Co-Founder and CEO of Trendspek, to explore why sampling often falls short, and what a better future looks like, one built on complete, auditable data. From aviation-inspired precision to millimetre-accurate 3D digital records, Derek explains how the industry is shifting from static PDF reports to living models of the built environment, and why the biggest barrier is not technology, it’s trust, process, and change management. If you work in engineering, asset management, facilities, or infrastructure, this episode will challenge the way you think about inspections, evidence, and decision-making. 🔑 Key Takeaways: * Why “representative” inspections can miss critical risks * How complete data reduces assumptions and improves decisions * Why 3D modelling is changing how we plan remediation and budgets * The role of engineers, contractors, and owners in better collaboration * Why adoption is more about people and process than technology ⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Why Sampling Fails06:02 - From Photos to 3D Insight09:01 - Digital Inspections from Data13:42 - Agnostic Data Capture17:31 - The Limits of Representative Inspections22:40 - Remediation and Cost Certainty26:32 - Optimizing Asset Management30:19 - Working Together Virtually35:29 - Digitizing Data and Building Smarter Insights38:26 - AI-Powered Infrastructure 🔗 Guest: Derek Feebrey Co-Founder & CEO TrendspekWebsite: https://trendspek.com/ [https://trendspek.com/]LinkedIn (Company): https://linkedin.com/company/trendspek [https://linkedin.com/company/trendspek]LinkedIn (Derek Feebrey): https://linkedin.com/in/derek-feebrey [https://linkedin.com/in/derek-feebrey] 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan [https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan]Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW [https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW]YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Structural-Intelligence [https://www.youtube.com/@Structural-Intelligence] VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai [https://www.voiceinspect.ai] 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

S1E9 - Engineering Tools that Build Themselves (w/Stijn Jansen)

“When engineers start trusting AI, what exactly are they trusting?” In this episode of The Structural Intelligence Podcast, host Owen Keenan sits down with Stijn Jansen, co-founder of VIKTOR, to explore what happens when engineers begin building tools that build themselves. From aerospace engineering to software automation, Stijn explains how VIKTOR enables engineers to replace brittle spreadsheets with custom applications that integrate BIM models, simulation software, and now, AI-generated code. Together, they unpack one of today’s core tensions in engineering: how do we reconcile the reliability of deterministic systems with the flexibility of AI-driven workflows? If machines now help author our tools, where does responsibility live? 🔑 Key Takeaways: * Why engineers struggle to trust AI and how deterministic code restores confidence * How AI can generate tools, without becoming the tool itself * What it really means to “automate the boring and engineer the awesome” * Why Python is becoming the new engineering literacy * How hybrid workflows blend human judgment with machine speed * Why engineers must evolve from tool users into workflow architects ⏱ Timestamps  00:00 – When does automation become too unpredictable to trust? 02:15 – From aerospace engineer to code-curious 05:11 – What is VIKTOR and why build your own tools? 08:52 – Why engineers default to Excel under pressure  13:52 – “Automate the boring, engineer the awesome”  24:38 – Case study – automating the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel design  29:31 – Trusting AI vs trusting deterministic tools  35:59 – Unit tests and verification for engineering apps  41:16 – Connecting BIM, FEA and reports into one workflow  51:10 – When AI agents start acting like colleagues  56:18 – Where engineers should start with automation  59:43 – Outro 🔗 Guest:  Stijn Jansen CPO of VIKTOR  Website: ⁠https://www.viktor.ai/⁠ [https://www.viktor.ai/]  LinkedIn (Company): ⁠https://linkedin.com/company/viktor-ai⁠ [https://linkedin.com/company/viktor-ai]  LinkedIn (Stijn Jansen): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-jansen-viktor⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-jansen-viktor]  VIKTOR Free account: ⁠https://www.viktor.ai/start-now⁠ [https://www.viktor.ai/start-now] 🎧 Host & Links  LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan⁠ [https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan]  Spotify: ⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW%5BVoiceInspect.ai%5D(http://voiceinspect.ai/)]https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW [https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW] VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): ⁠https://www.voiceinspect.ai⁠ [https://www.voiceinspect.ai/] 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.