AEC AI and Tech Strategy Podcast How AI in Structural Engineering Is Driving Digital Transformation – Ep 092
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Sep 30, 2025 Join Jesse Light, president and senior structural engineer at SML, as he delves into the exciting intersection of AI and structural engineering. He reveals how AI is revolutionizing workflows and client value through automation and digital tools. Learn about the VISOR Center and practical use cases that save time and reduce costs. Jesse also discusses the importance of protecting intellectual property in an AI-driven landscape and offers insights on how firms can begin their digital transformation journey.
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Career Pivot Led To Tech Opportunity
- Jesse described moving from mechanical engineering and rocket testing into structural engineering and eventually becoming SML's president in 2024.
- Becoming president gave him authority and resources to push automation and digital initiatives that he'd only dabbled in before.
Reddit To Research Center
- A Reddit post led Jesse to hire a University of Houston PhD intern who built tools to search and vectorize old forensic reports.
- That relationship opened doors to the NSF VISOR IUCRC center and broader AI collaboration opportunities.
AI Will Reorder Competitive Advantage
- Structural engineers who leverage AI and automation will outcompete those who don't.
- The shift is about augmenting engineers' capabilities, not purely replacing roles.