My company has hosted several meet-and-greets with college students recently, and they keep asking a question that would have sounded foreign a few years ago: What does our industry think about AI?

It’s a fair question, and one our members should be ready to answer. AI tools are already showing up in estimating, project documentation and training, and the companies that learn to use them effectively can help their people focus on the work where experience and expertise matter most. The upcoming MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA  MEP Innovation Conference in January is one example of our industry taking that conversation seriously and looking at practical applications for emerging technology.

The expansion of data centers has become a significant driver of construction activity, which makes the broader conversation around AI worth watching. As the 2026 midterms approach, both Republicans and Democrats are raising questions about AI, from its impact on jobs and regulation to national security and America’s competition with China. Calls to slow AI development could become a headwind for current and future data center investment. Although it’s too early to know how those conversations will play out, any shift in AI investment could eventually reach our local market.

We’ve also been reminded that even a strong market can change quickly. The Google and Bally’s casino projects have both been put on hold, and some data center projects have also been delayed. That’s a disappointment to our industry, and although the market remains active, these developments are a good reminder to stay flexible and keep an eye on where new projects might be developing.

Our August golf outing was another great success this year, giving members and industry partners a chance to step away from the daily grind and connect on the course. We’ll have another opportunity to catch up at our Annual Holiday Dinner & Dance in December, with an exciting new location this year at Morgan Manufacturing. I hope you’ll join us! Events like these give us a chance to come together and strengthen the relationships that make our association stronger.

Tom Coonan
President, SMACNA Greater Chicago