BrightAI

People fear monger about job loss from AI and robots. But in reality, we don’t even have enough workers for most jobs — esp. in critical industries in the physical world. BrightAI CEO Alex Hawkinson joined me on stage at SXSW in Austin last month for our 'Dirty Jobs' panel to discuss exactly this. As he aptly says, these are dirty, dusty, dangerous -- repetitive tasks. These are essential jobs, yet there aren’t enough people to do them and the very nature of them makes them ripe for automation. Our American infrastructure gets a C- or D grade for a reason. Fixing it requires a workforce that simply doesn’t exist anymore. Automation isn’t taking jobs—it’s filling in labor gaps. It respects time. It shortens learning curves. It gives frontline workers tools to work smarter, faster, and safer and doesn't need to send them out for hours into the boonies to do site visits that could be done with software and sensors. Without automation, we don't have manpower to solve critical problems. The real conversation isn’t about robots replacing humans. It’s about empowering humans to address the challenges we’re already behind on. At VSC Ventures, we whole heartedly agree. Investing in automation for the physical world isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Well said Alex! cc: Vijay Chattha, Maggie Philbin, Abigail (Campbell) Hanson, VSC

"We can double the productivity" - Revolutionizing Infrastructure with AI: Download the full podcast : https://lnkd.in/gbBvBAYi Excited to share a highlight from my interview with Alex Hawkinson - CEO - BrightAI Thanks so much to Alex for sharing his thoughts and insights on the future of AI in #infrastructure, #maintenance and #robotics. Chapters include: 00:00 Introduction to Intelligent Infrastructure and Alex's Journey 09:45 The Birth of Bright AI and Its Mission 12:04 Exploring the Seven Vertical Markets 14:42 Challenges in Infrastructure Management 19:07 The Role of AI in Modern Infrastructure 22:34 Augmented Humans: Enhancing Workforce Efficiency 28:14 Automation in Infrastructure: Use Cases and Future Directions 29:28 Innovative Solutions for Infrastructure Challenges 32:10 The Role of AI and Robotics in Maintenance 35:42 Expanding into Transportation and Infrastructure 39:02 Collaborative Development with Customers 42:10 Evolving Business Models in Critical Infrastructure 47:26 Navigating Change Management in Infrastructure 51:56 The Future of Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Keywords: #intelligentinfrastructure, #AI, SmartThings, #criticalinfrastructure #technology, #IoT, data-driven insights, augmented human interaction #augmentedreality #drones #autonomous #robots #AI #edgecomputing #smartcity Jeffrey DeCoux, Chris stark, Patricia B.

New AI sensors gather data that detect patterns and enable companies to predict where problems will emerge, saving time, energy and labor costs. And on top of that, the newest AI sensing technology can effectively last forever in the real world. Find out all the details in the comments (short video). #AI #laborcosts #sensors #technology #energycosts

No two pools are the same. Yet for years, pool builders have relied on measuring tape and hand-drawn sketches to complete projects—leading to errors, delays, and costly rework. Not anymore. We’ve partnered with Latham, The Pool Company to launch Measure by Latham Pools, bringing AI-powered precision to pool measurement, manufacturing, and installation. The result? ✅ Laser-precise scanning eliminates costly measurement errors. ✅ 5x faster turnaround means orders move from scan to production in days, not weeks. ✅ Seamless AI-powered ordering ensures every liner and cover fits perfectly. With AI, the pool industry is entering a new era of accuracy and automation, where measurements are more precise and orders move faster. Learn more about how we’re helping Latham lead the way here: https://lnkd.in/gN3u49HZ

Smart homes are great—they make life more convenient and connected. But what really keeps the lights on, the water running, and the heat flowing is the critical infrastructure outside the home.

Excited to see our CEO join the 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘵 panel at SXSW, where he shared how BrightAI is helping hardworking field teams — the crews fixing power poles, sewer lines, HVAC systems, and more — work smarter with AI. Alex Hawkinson spoke about the massive opportunity in physical industries, which make up 85% of the global economy, and how unlocking real-time insights can boost both productivity and sustainability. One standout moment was when he posed this thought-provoking question: "If you could understand the state of the world in real-time — like a digital twin of the physical world — what would that unlock for you?" Big ideas, big impact — and we're proud to be part of the solution. 🎧 Link to the full conversation in comments

The rewards of giving AI tools to frontline workers are felt from the ground floor to the executive suite. Workers become hundreds of times more productive through AI co-pilots. Discover how AI tools make everyone an expert in the comments. #AI #frontlineworkers #copilot #artificialintelligence #IoT #digitaltoolsets

What if the same technology that made homes smart could modernize entire cities? In the latest episode of the Tech Seeking Human Podcast with Dave Anderson, our Founder and CEO Alex Hawkinson shares how scaling SmartThings laid the foundation for BrightAI's mission: turning outdated infrastructure into intelligent, self-monitoring networks. Alex discusses how AI, IoT, and real-time automation are transforming our cities, utilities, and industries—helping the teams on the ground work smarter, increasing efficiency, and making critical systems more resilient. From autonomous pipeline inspections to AI-powered co-pilots that support field teams, BrightAI is rethinking how infrastructure is managed. 🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gxKqPruf

🚨 Our Second Newsletter is Here! 💡 Discover how Physical AI is transforming essential industries and how BrightAI is partnering with Pelsis to revolutionize pest control. Plus, hear from our CEO Alex Hawkinson, on how AI is unlocking smarter infrastructure management and driving innovation.

Dirty Jobs and a Warming Planet. We're just one week away from our epic SXSW 2025 panel and can't wait to see you there! On March 12th, I'll be joined by these 3 incredible experts and VSC founders, Alex Hawkinson (BrightAI), Rebecca Hu Thrams (Glacier) and Theo Hooker (Cambium) on stage in Austin, TX to discuss: — Scaling a startup in the age of Physical AI — Where hardware and robotics factors into climate change adaptation. — How to avoid legacy labor, procurement, and political pitfalls. — What gets climate and industrial startups funded and acquired in 2025. — Why storytelling matters even more when selling in unsexy categories. If you'll be in Austin for SXSW next week, make sure you register at https://lnkd.in/eRekt6Xe Follow me for more Dirty Jobs content from SXSW and can't wait to see you there!