RECAP: March 2025 Membership Meeting: The Rise Of Ai

Travis Voss, SMACNA’s Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication, presented to a packed house at Gibsons Oak Brook during our member meeting on March 11. Voss spoke in detail about the digital transformation and the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our industry.

Data drives everything we do, allowing us to more accurately track project costs, identify areas to save time and make more informed decisions that enhance an overall project.

Today’s AI can help utilize that wealth of information by:

• Compiling messy data and make it neat
• Seeking deeper insights
• Automating repetitive actions to focus on growth

Voss encouraged SMACNA Greater Chicago members to adopt an innovation mindset and consider hiring a technology/innovation manager to help facilitate companywide technology implementation and bridge the gap between leadership, field crews, tech vendors and more.

“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth putting someone in charge,” he said, noting firms with a person in this role typically see higher efficiency and faster ROI when it comes to technology. “Technology is advancing too fast to be an afterthought.”