AI, Ethics and the Future of Infrastructure
What You'll Learn
- Why the rapid rise of AI is raising questions about regulation, ethics, and public trust.
- How digital twins, BIM and real‑time data are changing how infrastructure is designed, built and maintained.
- Where data collection and AI cross ethical boundaries in transportation and construction.
- How the next generation of engineers views technology, workforce challenges and long‑term infrastructure impact.
- Insight into the history and longevity of major U.S. transit systems and bridges.
The ITP team opens this episode by responding to a listener question about whether artificial intelligence is being pushed too quickly — and what the surge of AI marketing says about regulation, responsibility and public trust.
Later in the episode, Gavin sits down with UC Berkeley civil engineering students Michael Yamaguchi and Sarah Saadeh from the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter to explore how digital tools like AI, building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins are reshaping construction and transportation.
To wrap up the episode, Brandon quizzes Gavin and Jessica on the history of some of the oldest transit systems and bridges in the United States.
Featured Guests
Michael Yamaguchi - UC Berkeley
Michael Yamaguchi is the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a focus on construction and rail infrastructure.
Sarah Saadeh - UC Berkeley
Sarah Saadeh is the vice president of the ASCE UC Berkeley Student Chapter and a civil engineering student with a data science background, interested in the intersection of technology, ethics and infrastructure delivery.
Inside the Episode
Episode Length: 1:12:55
Timestamps:
- 6:25 — Listener emails
- 13:15 — Interview with Sarah Saadeh and Michael Yamaguchi
- 1:00:40 — Over and Under with Mass Transit
Useful Links
- American Society of Civil Engineers UC Berkeley Student Chapter
- UC Berkeley Civil and Environmental Engineering
- "AI Moves From Concept to Construction" Roads & Bridges
- "How Technology is Reshaping Roadway Safety and Traffic Management" Roads & Bridges
- Send us a topic suggestion!
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Email [email protected] with your thoughts on AI and transportation — we might read them on air.