Ep. 129 | Ai sustainability and the state of engineering

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In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we’re having a kōrero with Dr Richard Templer from Engineering New Zealand.

In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we’re joined by HERA’s leadership team for a wide-ranging kōrero on AI, sustainability and what’s really changing inside engineering right now.

The conversation looks at how quickly AI has moved from curiosity to capability. What felt unclear just a year ago is now shaping real projects, real workflows and real decisions. The team talks through where AI is already adding value, where the limits still are, and why reliable data is the real bottleneck for meaningful adoption across design, fabrication and construction.

We dig into what AI means for engineers themselves. Not just productivity gains, but how roles, skills and career pathways are likely to shift. The message is clear: fundamentals don’t change, but how we work with them does. AI becomes a tool, a collaborator, and eventually part of everyday practice, provided we put the right guardrails around it.

Sustainability is another key thread. The discussion moves beyond intent and into practice, looking at low-carbon and circular design, the tools HERA has delivered, and the challenge of integration across siloed systems. The team is candid about where Construction 4.0 still falls short, and why true system-wide optimisation remains hard but necessary.

There’s also a frank look at ethics, accountability and energy use. From AI’s environmental footprint to the risks of black-box software and proprietary data, the episode raises tough questions about trust, transparency and who benefits as technology accelerates.

If you work in engineering, fabrication or construction and want a grounded view on where AI and sustainability are actually heading, this episode offers an honest take on the opportunities, the risks and the work still ahead.