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We’re taking the SureWorx Podcast on the road to the Future of Construction Technology (FCON) Summit in Sydney. In this episode, SureWorx CEO Nandan Thakar sits down with Atul Khanzode from DPR Construction to explore the game-changing impact of AI and automation in construction. Atul explains how AI is shifting from simply identifying problems to solving them in real time, optimizing workflows, and enabling faster, smarter decisions. Join us as Atul shares his forward-thinking approach to building a more efficient, tech-enabled future for the industry.
Atul Khanzode is a pioneering figure in construction technology and innovation, serving on the Leadership Team at DPR Construction, where he has been instrumental since 1997. As a thought leader in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), Atul’s vision extends beyond traditional construction methodologies to embrace emerging technologies and automation.
Speaking at AFCON Sydney 2024, Atul emphasized the industry’s evolution from problem identification to problem-solving solutions, particularly highlighting the potential of AI in making company knowledge more accessible at the individual level. His current focus includes integrating automation into construction workflows and developing practical applications for emerging technologies. A co-author of “Integrating Project Delivery,” Atul combines hands-on project experience with strategic innovation leadership. His approach to evaluating construction technology solutions emphasizes real-world testing and team dynamics over purely technical considerations.
Under his guidance, DPR has become a leader in technological adoption and investment in the construction sector. Atul advocates for smarter work practices enabled by technology, believing that modern tools can significantly improve work-life balance in construction while preserving crucial industry knowledge. He holds a particular passion for fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in construction innovation.
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00:07
Nandan Thakar
Hi everyone, it’s Nandan, co-founder and CEO of SureWorx. We are here at FCON Sydney and with me is Atul Khanzode. Atul, thank you for joining us.
00:19
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, thanks Nandan.
00:20
Nandan Thakar
So what we are aiming to capture here is the voice of the industry and yours and DPR’s is a very important voice having followed you and what DPR does. Not only are you a construction company with lots of interesting challenging projects with a DNA for it, but you guys were one of the early pioneers into taking active interest in innovation and even cultivating that and even investing in that. So you would be seeing lots of new solutions coming in, lots of older solutions maturing, talking to customers on what the problems to be solved are. So I really wanted to explore where you feel the industry is at in terms of challenges and solutions and what are the things that excite you with where we are heading in digitizing the industry today.
01:16
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, I mean, I think so. Definitely a lot of excitement around sort of automation in general. Yeah, I think, you know, I feel like we are moving away from what I would call sort of solutions that allow you to identify a problem to solutions that can actually help you solve the problems a lot better. So I think AI definitely, you know, has a ton of hype right now, but also a ton of promise.
01:45
Nandan Thakar
Yeah.
01:45
Atul Khanzode
So one of the things that we are trying to figure out is how do you really best utilize it? And the two areas that we are sort of really thinking about is one, making it part of the workflows to essentially bring the knowledge of the company to an individual sort of a level. So an example of that would be a lot of companies have like manuals on pre test plans and things like that or hazardous activity pre task plans, but they’re not accessible to people as easily. So one of the things that we’re trying to figure out is, you know, in their weekly work plan, if they, if a hazardous activity gets identified, then essentially prompt people to be able to do that.
02:30
Atul Khanzode
Now that’s a simple use case, but something that we are trying to sort of really figure out, like how to make it best sort of, you know, what we realize is that I think the moment people get it in time, that’s what we are really wanting to do.
02:46
Nandan Thakar
More decision augmentation than just bouncing ball tasks.
02:49
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, and there’s obviously a lot of other tasks that I think it can do that would be really awesome.
02:55
Nandan Thakar
Yeah, well, it’s funny you mentioned that because I’ve got a presentation in the innovation panel if you’re here and we are going to talk about a couple of AI agents that we have built on top of the platform. So, yeah, we are certainly taking baby steps towards it as an industry. Your suggestions to AEC companies out there of all sizes in terms of how to get a nuanced view of their problem statement and how they can look for solutions out there?
03:25
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, I mean, I think working with the real Personas that they’re trying to solve the problems for, I think we see that. I mean, there’s obviously two sources of sort of how construction tech companies are getting started. I mean, one is maybe more the solution side, like where somebody in technology thinks that we are a big industry with a lot of target market size and all that and trying to develop a solution. And then there’s others like, you know, construction people that are getting, let’s say, frustrated by a problem that is trying to bring solutions to it. And I feel like, I think developing technology I won’t say is ever easy, but is an easier thing compared to understanding sort of the workflows that our people have to go through and sort of what you’re trying to do.
04:15
Atul Khanzode
So I think, you know, spending time in the field for us, less spending time with our project engineers, project managers, superintendents, you know, the people that they’re trying to sort of get those solutions for is critical in my opinion.
04:27
Nandan Thakar
Yeah, thank you. And in your role within DPR, more so the VC army, what do you look for in up and coming companies in terms of what impact they can have in the industry?
04:42
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, I mean, I think so. For us, there are a few things that we are looking at sort of from, if I put on my sort of corporate venture hat, I think one is, you know, does the solution do what it’s sort of supposed to be, you know, adding benefit? Yeah. The second thing that we are also looking for, so we don’t invest in anything unless we have tried it out on a project and so many times what we find is that, I mean, there’s obviously things that could be improved on the solution perspective.
05:17
Atul Khanzode
But what we also find is, I think once we get to work with somebody on a pilot level, we get to know the team and we are really more looking at sort of, you know, overall, like how do they respond and you know, how do they respond to the customer needs and things like that.
05:35
Nandan Thakar
Yeah.
05:35
Atul Khanzode
And what we have seen is that even though the product might be good or the vision might be good, sometimes the execution or how the founding team works together is where we see the biggest challenge.
05:46
Nandan Thakar
Yeah.
05:46
Atul Khanzode
And so it gives us an idea whether we want to sort of go ahead with an investment or not.
05:50
Nandan Thakar
Yeah, yeah. How complete is their vision and are they able to execute on it? Yeah, yeah. Wonderful. I wanted to go a little bit off track and just because I interact with a lot of young people coming into the industry and they are naturally digital natives but a lot of companies they get exposure into are still within the older way of working. So just some message to new entrants and how can we make this industry more attractive for them in terms of where we are heading?
06:25
Atul Khanzode
Yeah, I mean I think and I have this conversation with our leaders all the time. I think the old notion that sort of, you know, of like, I think our industry, you know, has relied a lot on sort of heroism to deliver projects and I feel like a lot of that technology addresses a lot of that like you know, you don’t have to work as hard I think let the technology work for you I would say. And I think, I mean people get shied away from spending 12, 14, 16 hour days on a site and not really having a work life balance. I feel like the technical solutions afford you to sort of do that now. So that gives me hope.
07:11
Nandan Thakar
Yeah, wonderful. And also not only work life balance but ability to capture tacit knowledge. So if you have a lot of experienced people who are looking at retirement at the end of this decade.
07:22
Atul Khanzode
Yeah.
07:23
Nandan Thakar
Then if you have the right tool you are able to capture those processes so that you know.
07:27
Atul Khanzode
Yeah.
07:27
Nandan Thakar
It’s not in people’s heads.
07:28
Atul Khanzode
Yeah. I mean it’s an experiential industry and the more you can benefit from what you’ve done in the past, the better it is.
07:35
Nandan Thakar
Yeah, yeah. Very good. Okay now thank you for your time. We promise we’ll keep this short but yeah, really appreciate you coming down and yeah. Sharing your thoughts.
07:43
Atul Khanzode
Yeah. Thank you.
