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How well are governments preparing for the AI revolution?
Scott E. Rupp Science & TechnologyArtificial intelligence (AI) is moving us forward in ways not yet even imagined, but some simple truths seem to be coming to light. First, AI is here to stay. Second, it will replace humans in some jobs and will likely impact the management of our facilities. Third, efforts for its development continue despite warnings that it could create a machine uprising.
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Building America
Marc Cheves Construction & Building MaterialsDuring a downturn in the early 1990s, I had to lay off an excellent career instrument man. He was one of many who were shown the door in that dark time. But what made it even worse for this particular individual was the fact that it was the second time the company had laid him off. The first was after another earlier downturn.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Select the best lease length
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.
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Power plants are no longer the biggest polluter in the US
Scott E. Rupp Natural ResourcesThere's a new king of pollution in the U.S., and data suggests we might all be to blame. For the first time in 40 years, power plants have been usurped as the biggest source of U.S. greenhouse gas pollution. What's on top now? The transportation sector: cars, trucks, planes, trains and boats.
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Scope it out: How to design and build what’s needed
Curtis Skolnick Healthcare AdministrationPlanners are often asked to test a facilities concept, define how much space it will take and determine how much it will cost to complete. These questions are useful in the early-concept phase of a project, but the basis for planning is missing: What am I solving for, and how does this potential "bricks and mortar" solution meet a defined service, market or strategic need of the organization?
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Negotiating commercial leases: Go slow for a better deal
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.
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More questions than answers
Wendy Lathrop Construction & Building MaterialsSome of the messages that find their way to me by email (and sometimes by phone) pose questions that are far more complicated than the inquirer anticipates. Recently, a brief, two-sentence question (couched in an only slightly longer message) required me to write many paragraphs to describe and explain all the variables involved that precluded me from giving a solid answer. Incidentally, I also asked that I not be given more information since I didn't have time to research and respond to all those specifics, and some of it would be beyond my expertise.
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How will La Niña impact your facility this winter?
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsLa Niña has arrived for the second straight winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). La Niña is a cooling pattern of the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean, and it can have a big effect on North America.
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A new generation of ‘counterfeit cities’
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentThe history of the last century, and the beginning of this one, has been one of urbanization. That means that not only do we live in cities, but also that we fight in cities. The future of warfare lies in the gutters of the “broken cities of our world,” and one of the most surreal byproducts of this shift is the growing network of "mock-up" Arab cities built by the U.S. and other militaries to simulate arenas of war. The simple logic is that it is better to make mistakes in a replica than in the genuine battlefield.
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Human talent for creativity can’t be replaced by a computer
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesSince I was a kid, I was told I had a gift, and that I was lucky because I am creative. As I got older, I was always amazed by people who thought I was special because it seems like I can pull great design ideas out thin air.
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