Driving Value
With Stantec’s Shankar Kalyana 

Shankar Kalyana, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Stantec, sits down with BST Global’s Chief Executive Officer, Javier A. Baldor, to discuss the intersection of digital transformation and the AEC industry. A former IBM Fellow, Shankar reflects on his 40-year tech career, emphasizing that true transformation stems not from technology alone but from solving real-world problems and driving value. 

During the interview, Shankar shares how AI, data and automation are reshaping the design and operational phases of infrastructure projects. He predicts a future where design cycles are drastically compressed and asset operations become increasingly automated, urging a fusion of engineering expertise and digital innovation. He also discusses the threat and opportunity of disruption from tech and consulting firms entering the AEC space. 

As the conversation continues, Shankar underscores the importance of strong data foundations, thoughtful governance and talent development. While Shankar acknowledges the risks of misuse, he is optimistic about humanity’s ability to responsibly harness AI tools to solve critical global challenges. The discussion is a thoughtful look at how engineering firms must evolve to stay competitive and relevant in a rapidly digitizing world.  

Check out the full episode to hear what else Shankar shared.