Truly Transformational With Arcadis' James P. Cooper

Truly Transformational With Arcadis' James P. Cooper

In this episode of The Trailblazers podcast, BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady talks with James P. Cooper, Global Director of Water at Arcadis, about the rapidly accelerating role of AI and digital innovation in the water sector. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across operations, engineering and utility leadership, James offers a candid look at why the industry is at a pivotal point.  Their discussion dives into the immense scale of water systems, the expanding capabilities of digital twins and the organizational mindset shifts needed to fully embrace AI. James emphasizes that digital transformation goes far beyond new tools — it represents a fundamental shift in how utilities use data, manage assets and make decisions. He also shares practical examples of AI already driving measurable impact, from boosting safety and regulatory performance to cutting excavation costs and enabling smarter, more cost‑effective energy planning.  This conversation paints a vivid picture of how the AEC community can build more resilient, data‑driven and future‑ready organizations through technology, collaboration and empowered teams.  Tune in to hear James’ full perspective and insights.

Reimagine the World With WSP’s Jazz Pabla

Jazz Pabla, Chief Innovation Officer at WSP, joins BST Global Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady to explore how AI is transforming the future of engineering and the communities it serves. From applying AI to weather data to building safer, smarter infrastructure, Jazz shares how innovation can deliver real-world impact.  Drawing on his journey from municipal IT leadership to a global engineering firm, Jazz reflects on how working closely with citizens shaped his belief that technology should ultimately enhance everyday human experiences. That people-first mindset continues to guide his approach to innovation today.  He also outlines a vision for a future-ready engineering firm that balances rapid AI adoption with quality, trust and human judgment and spotlights the opportunity to unlock meaningful value by embedding engineering expertise directly into AI-driven solutions.  Throughout the conversation, Jazz shares his optimism about the next generation, recognizing how their blend of technical skills and empathy can help shape how AI benefits society.    Tune in to hear the full conversation.

Future Focused With AtkinsRealis' Jack Li

Jack Li, Global Future Focus and AI Director at AtkinsRéalis, sits down with Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the AEC landscape and redefining what it means for firms to be prepared for the future.  Drawing on a career path that spans consulting, finance and startups, Jack explains how his diverse background sharpened his ability to anticipate disruption and help large organizations navigate rapid technological shifts. He breaks down his current role, which involves monitoring emerging innovations and guiding the business toward the opportunities with the greatest impact.  Jack also examines the rising presence of major tech players in the AEC industry, the importance of unlocking siloed data and the growing necessity of human + AI collaboration. He highlights why critical thinking, curiosity and people‑centered skills are becoming even more essential as AI accelerates technical work. Jack closes by outlining the core ingredients of a future‑ready firm: skilled teams, flexible processes and strong data foundations that enable AI to deliver meaningful value.  Tune in to hear Jack’s full perspective on where the industry is headed next.

Bridging the Built & Natural Environments With GHD’s Paul Murphy

In the latest episode of The Trailblazers podcast, GHD’s Chief Information Officer, Paul Murphy, and Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, explore important AI and AEC industry topics, including:  * How GHD is upskilling its people across the firm  * Why humans should be in control when AI is involved  * How AI will link the built and natural environments  Paul talks about build-by-partner as a strategy and why creating specialty solutions from scratch is not always the best course of action for engineering firms. He also expresses his hope for a future in which AI-powered technology solves the most pressing and complex environmental problems to make our planet safer for humanity.  We also learn why Paul thinks being in leadership is like stand-up comedy and how that piece of wisdom has served him throughout his career. Find out what else Paul shares when you listen to the full episode.

Thinking Beyond Tech With Stantec’s Lalitha Krishnamoorthy

In this episode, Lalitha Krishnamoorthy, Vice President of Data & Artificial Intelligence at Stantec, joins BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, Eileen M. Canady, for a compelling discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the architecture, engineering and environmental consulting (AEC) sector.  Lalitha highlights a generational shift in the workforce, where emerging professionals are entering the field with AI already embedded in their education. She explains that these new designers and architects don’t need to be introduced to AI but instead should be given space to innovate with it. She outlines how Stantec is adapting its culture and infrastructure to support this new wave of AI-fluent talent.  The conversation also dives into the potential of neuro-symbolic AI to bring greater transparency and accountability to complex models, making them more understandable for project teams, regulators, and decision-makers alike. Looking ahead, Lalitha recognizes that AI is becoming less about technology and more about business and how it can help generate value.