The Future of Work: How AI Is Reshaping Talent, Roles & Delivery in AEC

As the Chief Investment & Technology Officer at AInvested, Darren advises clients worldwide, offering critical expertise in future business strategy development and transformation, sourcing, value creation, due diligence, post-acquisition planning, exit planning and transformational technology strategy, complemented by bankable business plans. His extensive knowledge and strong market presence are instrumental in driving key transactions and organizational transformations and supporting major global corporations in their future business strategies for digital transformation and AI innovation.

Before forming AInvested, Darren served as Chief Digital Officer at AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design engineering and project management company. Previously, he served as the global CTO for the McKinsey Operations Practice and the Capital Excellence Program at McKinsey & Co., leading innovation in generative AI, software development, and data science. He has also been the global CTO of two other energy and built environment consultancies. In these roles, he helped deliver digital transformation policies that added $100M to the bottom line and developed practical expertise in everything from identifying client challenges to determining how large organizations can best integrate powerful AI and data analytics into their products and services.

Darren is an industry-recognized thought leader on the power of connecting people, data and technology to deliver stronger outcomes and help us engineer a better future for our planet and its people. He thrives on shaping and delivering digital transformations that enable large, complex organizations to leverage innovative technologies and deliver extraordinary results.

James serves as Global Director of Digital & AI Advisory with more than 20 years of experience as a Certified Change Management Professional, certified operator, professional engineer and utility manager. James has a passion for people enabled by technology and an educational background in civil engineering and artificial intelligence. As Chair of the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) Engineering & Construction Division, Chair of the AWWA's Artificial Intelligence Committee and Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) Council Member, he has cultivated deep industry relationships.

Michael is Senior Vice President and Enterprise AI Lead at Jacobs, where he is responsible for driving the company’s global AI strategy and ensuring the responsible, secure and impactful adoption of AI across all facets of the business. Michael oversees the enterprise AI ecosystem that spans Jacobs’ internal efficiency initiatives, client-facing solutions, project delivery and cross-functional innovation. In this capacity, he ensures the company’s technology investments align with its long-term strategic goals.

With nearly two decades of experience in data science, AI, data engineering and geospatial technology, Michael has led numerous digital transformation initiatives that integrate advanced analytics and automation into critical infrastructure, environmental and transportation projects. His leadership has been instrumental in the creation and launch of Jacobs’ external AI and machine learning solutions, as well as the evolution of Jacobs AI, the company’s enterprise-wide AI assistant and innovation platform.

Before returning to Jacobs in 2016, Michael served as Chief Technology Officer at a robotics and AI startup, where he led product development and strategy at the intersection of autonomous systems and data intelligence. Earlier in his career, he held technical and leadership roles at Jacobs and CH2M Hill, where he developed data-driven tools to improve operational resiliency and environmental outcomes.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science from the University of California, Irvine. He is passionate about fostering collaboration between technologists and domain experts to responsibly scale AI and empowering organizations to think bigger so they can deliver smarter, data-informed outcomes for a more connected and sustainable world.

Jonathan joined Populous in 2022 as Global Head of Digital, overseeing digital transformation efforts internally and productization/partnership efforts externally. This senior role supports the global Holdings Board through the development, evaluation and evolution of a technological vision and strategy to develop and enhance all digital services and products.

While Jonathan is an architect by training, his career has spanned both architecture and construction as well as software development, manufacturing and academia. As an academic and researcher, Jonathan has been published extensively on the topics of prefabrication, generative design, digital fabrication and augmented reality.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Master of Construction Practice from Bond University in Robina, Australia.

Eileen is BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, and a member of the BST Global Executive Management team. In her role, Eileen is responsible for developing data-driven marketing campaigns to expand brand awareness, generate qualified leads and propel sales growth. She is also committed to leading a high-performing Marketing team with the skills and expertise to thrive in the fast-paced AEC software landscape. Eileen also serves as the Executive Director for BST Global’s AI + Data Consortium.

Eileen has more than 25 years of B2B marketing and sales leadership experience. Eileen is responsible for managing the company’s marketing efforts, including product marketing, event management, market research, competitive analysis, customer personas, full-campaign strategies, go-to-market planning, brand management, demand and lead generation, content and creative development, public and analyst relations, association relationships, internal and external communications, and digital presence. Eileen’s strategic initiatives drive sales, resulting in brand awareness, consideration and conversion.

Before BST Global, Eileen served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Sykes Enterprises, Inc., where she overhauled the company’s brand and laid out a strategic roadmap dedicated to brand awareness, retention and new client acquisition. Eileen also served as the Vice President of Strategic Development and Marketing at JHS Capital Advisors, where she played a key role in increasing the company’s brand presence and recognition as a leader in the industry, resulting in overall company growth. 

A member of the Forbes Communication Council, Eileen also serves on the Advisory Council for the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa and on the Advisory Board for the University of South Florida Muma College of Business’ Digital Marketing Program. Eileen is also certified in Strategic and Conceptual Selling by Korn Ferry.  

Eileen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Business and Technical Writing from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

Javier is Chief Executive Officer and a Principal Shareholder of BST Global. Javier leads a global team of professionals responsible for the market introduction of BST Global's business software products and cloud solutions. Javier is also instrumental in crafting and implementing the company’s business strategy, overall vision and mission with the BST Global leadership team. In addition to his role as CEO of BST Global, Javier serves on the ACEC Research Institute Board of Directors.

Javier joined BST Global in 1989 and has served in various capacities during his tenure. In 1999, Javier was the primary catalyst in establishing a global vision for BST Global, and since that time, the company has flourished from its roots as a North American-centric business to a prosperous and vibrant global software organization. Today, with the steadfast support of fellow senior leadership and committed professionals globally, BST Global operates across an international network of offices and has clients leveraging BST Global’s solutions in 65 countries on six continents.

Javier holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.