“When engineers start trusting AI, what exactly are they trusting?”

In this episode of The Structural Intelligence Podcast, host Owen Keenan sits down with Stijn Jansen, co-founder of VIKTOR, to explore what happens when engineers begin building tools that build themselves. From aerospace engineering to software automation, Stijn explains how VIKTOR enables engineers to replace brittle spreadsheets with custom applications that integrate BIM models, simulation software, and now, AI-generated code.

Together, they unpack one of today’s core tensions in engineering: how do we reconcile the reliability of deterministic systems with the flexibility of AI-driven workflows? If machines now help author our tools, where does responsibility live?

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why engineers struggle to trust AI and how deterministic code restores confidence
• How AI can generate tools, without becoming the tool itself
• What it really means to “automate the boring and engineer the awesome”
• Why Python is becoming the new engineering literacy
• How hybrid workflows blend human judgment with machine speed
• Why engineers must evolve from tool users into workflow architects

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – When does automation become too unpredictable to trust?

02:15 – From aerospace engineer to code-curious

05:11 – What is VIKTOR and why build your own tools?

08:52 – Why engineers default to Excel under pressure

13:52 – “Automate the boring, engineer the awesome”

24:38 – Case study – automating the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel design

29:31 – Trusting AI vs trusting deterministic tools

35:59 – Unit tests and verification for engineering apps

41:16 – Connecting BIM, FEA and reports into one workflow

51:10 – When AI agents start acting like colleagues

56:18 – Where engineers should start with automation

59:43 – Outro

🔗 Guest:

Stijn Jansen CPO of VIKTOR

Website: ⁠https://www.viktor.ai/⁠

LinkedIn (Company): ⁠https://linkedin.com/company/viktor-ai⁠

LinkedIn (Stijn Jansen): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-jansen-viktor⁠

VIKTOR Free account: ⁠https://www.viktor.ai/start-now⁠

🎧 Host & Links

LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW

VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): ⁠https://www.voiceinspect.ai⁠

👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

“If we only solve the technical problem without understanding the human problem, we limit ourselves as engineering leaders.”

Is engineering moving fast enough to keep up with technology, or are we limiting ourselves by thinking too narrowly? In this episode, Owen Keenan sits down with Raj Aseervatham, President of Engineers Australia, to explore how engineers are uniquely positioned at the intersection of innovation, society, and the environment. Drawing on decades of experience across mining, energy, and infrastructure, Raj explains why technical excellence alone isn’t enough, and how engineers must balance human impact, economic value, and environmental responsibility in every decision.

From managing complex projects on-site to shaping national engineering strategy, Raj shares insights on leadership, curiosity, and the mindset shifts required for the next generation of engineers. Together, they discuss how fast-moving technologies like AI and material science aren’t just tools, they’re opportunities to expand what’s possible, to solve human-centred problems at scale, and to envision a future where engineering creates positive, lasting impact.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

- Engineering impacts go beyond technical fixes; it affects people, the economy, and the environment.

- Good engineers balance human needs, technical solutions, and long-term value.

- AI is a powerful tool for exploring options and optimising solutions, not a replacement.

- Leadership in engineering means looking beyond narrow scopes and thinking systemically.

- Investing in finance, economics, and the broader context strengthens technical expertise.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Balancing innovation with worldwide consequences.

00:01:47 - Raj’s Journey From Africa to Australia.

00:02:44 - Mining, consulting, energy, and transition to non-executive leadership.

00:05:01 - Early career experience broadening perspective.

00:07:32 - The unintended consequences of engineering.

00:09:06 - Engineering’s central role in solving complex problems.

00:13:37 - The three pillars of solving problems.

00:17:26 - Raj's thoughts on AI as a tool to solve problems.

00:22:48 - Advice for mid-career engineers

00:31:34 - Engineers Australia's hopes

🔗 Guest:

Raj Aseervatham

President of Engineers Australia

Website: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/

LinkedIn (Company): https://au.linkedin.com/company/engineers-australia

LinkedIn (Raj Aseervatham): https://au.linkedin.com/in/raj-aseervatham

🎧 Host & Links

LinkedIn: Owen Keenan

YouTube: @Structural-Intelligence

VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): www.voiceinspect.ai

👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

“What if construction isn’t tech-averse just misread?”Is construction really slow to adopt technology, or have we been building the wrong tools? In this episode of The Structural Intelligence Podcast, Owen Keenan sits down with Ethan Ow, Co-Founder & CEO of Wenti Labs, to challenge the myth of resistance in the field. Ethan shares how his team is embedding AI directly into the tools site teams already use: automating safety checks, reporting, and documentation straight from WhatsApp.From his early days managing projects on site to building AI agents that act like digital interns, Ethan explains how technology can adapt to construction workflows instead of forcing teams to adapt to tech. Together, they unpack the mindset shift needed for the industry to finally make AI fit-for-purpose.🔑 Key Takeaways:- Why construction’s problem isn’t tech aversion it’s tool misalignment- How Wenti Labs turns WhatsApp chats into structured project data- How AI agents can automate safety tracking, documentation, and reporting- Why treating AI like an “intern,” not a replacement, drives better adoption- Why starting small is the key to innovation that actually sticks on site- Lessons from building AI tools that adapt to construction not the other way around⏱ Timestamps:00:00:00 – Rethinking Construction Tech Adoption00:02:07 – Ethan’s Early Journey00:06:23 – Real-Time Data in Construction00:10:10 – Designing AI for the Chaos of Construction00:16:39 – How Wenti Labs Works on Site00:25:50 – Closing the Communication Gap on Site00:30:54 – Turning WhatsApp Chats into Structured Data00:33:20 – Automating Concrete Tracking and Documentation00:35:03 – Treating AI Like an Intern, Not a Replacement00:43:30 – The Mindset Shift Construction Needs🔗 Guest: Ethan OwCo-Founder & CEO, Wenti LabsWebsite: https://www.wentilabs.com/LinkedIn (Company): https://sg.linkedin.com/company/wentilabsLinkedIn (Ethan Ow): https://sg.linkedin.com/in/ethanow🎧 Host & LinksLinkedIn: Owen KeenanSpotify: Structural Intelligence PodcastYouTube: @Structural-IntelligenceVoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): www.voiceinspect.ai👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.