Peggy talks about the rise of “AI ghosts”—digital personas built from a deceased individual’s data—and what they mean for identity, grief, and ethics in the age of generative AI. With real-world experiments already underway, she dives into how AI agents powered by large language models can create AI ghosts, raising urgent questions about memory, co…

Peggy Smedley and Steve Clarke, president, Teresa Hayes, human resources manager, and Nathanael Forgy, operating technician apprentice, Logan Aluminum, talk about the labor shortage in manufacturing and how we got here. They each discuss the importance of manufacturing and opportunities for workers. They also discuss: How to inspire the future gene…

Peggy Smedley and Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about how AI (artificial intelligence) is transforming white-collar work—and why even AI hallucinations can be valuable. He says we are used to automation impacting blue-collar work, well now with generative AI and business intelligence, it is really beginning to invade wh…

Peggy dives into the multitrillion-dollar future of humanoid robots and how they could transform both industry and society. With projections showing nearly 1 billion humanoids in use by 2050—primarily in commercial and industrial settings—she breaks down what this means for the workforce, business, and our lives. She also discusses: The historical …

Peggy Smedley and Arthur Axelrad, cofounder and CEO, Dispatch Science, talk about TMS (transportation management systems) and how they have evolved. He says in the logistics and supply chain world, there are companies that have a mission to deliver parcels and all of that requires coordination, so TMS software is that segment of business management…

Peggy Smedley and Jon Summers, research lead in data centers, Research Institutes of Sweden, adjunct professor of fluid mechanics, Luleå Technical University and visiting professor in thermofluids, University of Leeds, talk about rising energy costs and data centers. He says we are in a difficult position because data centers are scrambling for acc…

Peggy Smedley takes a deep dive into the future of autonomous vehicles and what it will take to get there. She explains how the path to full automation is long—but potentially transformative. Peggy breaks down each level of automation, from manual driving to fully autonomous systems, and where adoption stands today—and where it’s headed by 2030. Sh…

Peggy Smedley and Akli Adjaoute, entrepreneur, founder, Brighterion and author, Inside AI, talk about whether generative AI is threatening humanity—or helping it. They explore whether future generations will trust themselves or rely on AI for life’s biggest decisions. They also discuss: AI risks and consequences such as deep fakes, misinformation, …

Peggy Smedley and Roza Tapini, VP of people and culture at Epignosis, talk about the emerging workplace trend of quiet cracking and why it is so dangerous. She says quiet cracking is the emotional withdrawal at work, and shares how it is different from burnout and quiet quitting. They also discuss: The importance of training and the likelihood of f…

Peggy explores the factory of the future and how AI (artificial intelligence) can help enable it. She says this could help address a core challenge in the manufacturing industry—the labor shortage—and with robots and AI we can catapult our businesses into the next generation of work. She also discusses: Some global statistics and perspectives. The …

Peggy Smedley interviews Tim Lindner, warehouse automation consultant, Voxware, about the evolution and future of robotics in warehousing and distribution centers. Tim also explores the concept of 'cobots', where humans and robots collaborate to improve efficiency, and shares insights on the practical challenges and potential benefits of robotic de…

Peggy Smedley welcomes Patrick Halley, president and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Assn., to discuss the critical role of wireless connectivity in supporting infrastructure and innovations like AI, 5G cores, and network slicing. Patrick also highlights the importance of smart policies and infrastructure to maintain the United States’ competiti…

Peggy explores the role of AI (artificial intelligence) in the future of work, looking at real numbers and success opportunities. She explains how AI is shifting skills needs in many industries, pointing to recent research. She also discusses: A gen AI history lesson and the impact it will ultimately have in the future. A PwC claim that AI is makin…

Peggy Smedley and Josué Velázquez, research scientist and lecturer, MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, talk about sustainability in supply chains. He says sustainability is part of MIT’s core mission, which focuses on solving the problems of humanity. They also discuss: What happens in the sustainable supply chain lab. How generative AI i…

Peggy Smedley and Akli Adjaoute, entrepreneur, founder, Brighterion and author, Inside AI, talk about his journey with AI (artificial intelligence)—and the role across industries. He says AI is powerful when it is used well. They also discuss: If AI is going to take over our jobs. Some of the most exciting tasks AI will help us do. The risks surrou…

Peggy talks about how we can make change happen in rural communities with broadband. She says we must consider how you will make change happen in your own community to have stronger and more resilient communities for all. She also discusses: A history lesson about the Bipartisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus. Details about the BEAD program, …

Peggy Smedley and Ja-Naé Duane, faculty, Brown University and MIT Research Fellow and Steve Fisher, managing partner, Revolution Factory and Chief Futurist, The Human Frontier Institute, talk about the pace of change and how leaders and businesses can build more resilient businesses in a time of constant disruption. They also discuss: The 9 supersh…

Peggy Smedley and Julie Fraser, VP of research for operations, Tech-Clarity, talk about the current state of smart manufacturing and data challenges, narrowing in on the role gen AI (artificial intelligence) is playing. She says a new report is designed to help manufacturers understand what the potential is for them. They also discuss: How to best …

Peggy Smedley talks about the clean power manufacturing sector, explaining how it is driving the U.S. economic boom. She says we need to make, build, and grow together, which will require several shifts in manufacturing. She also discusses: How much it contributes to the U.S. GDP annually today—and will in 2030. Growth anticipated for jobs, earning…

Peggy Smedley and James Zou, professor, Stanford University, talk about AI (artificial intelligence) agents and how AI is being used in scientific discovery. He says it is important to think about the difference between AI as a tool and AI as a collaborator, or an agent. They also discuss: What scientific problems are best suited for AI agents to s…

Peggy Smedley and Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, cofounders, Forum 3, and authors, AI First, talk about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for businesses, with the advancement of AI (artificial intelligence). Andy says the young people are using AI all day every day and they have a set of skills and intelligence that are broad. Adam says …

Peggy talks about work zone and road safety, saying there are far too many crashes. She explores the dangers that exist on the road today, identifying how to keep workers and motorists safe. She also discusses: Research that has been conducted. Efforts being made at the local and federal levels. A case study that is leveraging technology in a uniqu…

Peggy Smedley and Kat Kraft, director of product, Teren, talk about geospatial analysis, sharing how her organization is using predictive analytics to help her clients shift the paradigm from a reactive response to a more proactive response. She says the company develops and applies machine learning to identify where environmental conditions are ch…

Peggy Smedley and Ryan McGuire, president, Clayco Compute, talk about data center construction trends. He says this year, which is the same as last year, the company’s revenue in the data center business will represent about 50% of the total revenue of the company, which is approaching $8 billion. They also discuss: Why data center construction is …

Peggy Smedley talks about how manufacturing and sustainability need to come together with normal business activity. She says we need to leverage data, and we need to move to a new way of working. She also discusses: How much of the world’s energy usage comes from the manufacturing and production sectors and challenges in manufacturing that require …