Recognizing Michael Warren’s extensive leadership in digital practice innovation at AECOM, this exclusive feature offers invaluable insights into the challenges of integrating advanced technologies with traditional engineering practices and strategies for driving customer-focused digital transformation in the AEC industry. Building a Career at the Intersection of Technology and Design I started my career with a focus on technology and design at Carnegie Mellon University, developing expertise in digital transformation through roles in Code Enforcement, Manufacturing, Construction and Architecture. With a degree in Architecture and a Masters in Public Policy and Management, I gained practical experience in construction projects emphasizing innovative solutions. Over 32 years in the AEC industry, I integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins to enhance project efficiency and accuracy. Leading pioneering projects, I revolutionized infrastructure delivery with these technologies. My commitment to continuous learning led me to the role of Associate Vice President of Digital Practice Innovation at AECOM, where I advance technological innovations in architecture and engineering, including Machine Learning from Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence applications. I faced several challenges in aligning digital initiatives with traditional architectural and engineering design practices. Resistance to change was a primary obstacle, as established methods often overshadow new technologies. To address this, I highlighted the tangible benefits of digital tools, like improved project efficiency and accuracy, through pilot projects and real-world examples.

Concrete decisions depend on one thing: knowing when it is strong enough. Whether you are stripping forms, opening lanes, or scheduling the next pour, strength dictates the timeline. Most construction teams still rely on cylinder breaks that must cure, be crushed, and then logged over several days. This process is slow, manual, and prone to human error. Maturity sensors speed things up but only estimate strength based on temperature. After 24 to 48 hours, as the concrete cools, those estimates lose accuracy, and any change in mix forces recalibration. Wavelogix® offers a different approach. It measures strength directly. Developed at Purdue University by Dr. Luna Lu, founder and CTO, its patented REBEL sensor uses ultrasonic impedance to track how concrete cures without destructive testing or calibration. Installed during the pour, it provides real-time strength data from initial set through long term performance, even months or years later. “We measure the real behavior of the concrete, not just its temperature, which means our strength data is accurate, consistent, and available without any destructive testing,” says Joe Turek, CEO. A Smarter Alternative to Traditional Testing Wavelogix eliminates guesswork and delays by capturing strength data from within the concrete in real time. The sensor is placed on the ground or tied to rebar during the pour and connected by a 16-foot cable to a waterproof data logger. The logger’s built-in cellular radio continuously uploads readings to the cloud. The device runs for 28 days on battery power, recharges wirelessly, and needs no on-site data retrieval. Project teams can view data on desktop computers, tablets, or phones and instantly share results with clients or contractors. The complete system—sensor, logger, and dashboard—is built for simplicity, reliability, and scale..