Changes in Tech Shine at BuiltWorlds Digital Global Summit

The BuiltWorlds Digital Global Summit website greets visitors with this powerful message:

"The world is an incredible laboratory for finding valuable insights about emerging technologies and ideas." 

That process of discovery is made possible by the summit's global network of innovative construction leaders who share ideas, observations, and insights throughout the event. One leader is Bernardo Gamboa (MPM '98), who spoke at the 2020 BuiltWorlds Digital Global Summit in October. He is a partner and senior director at Global Project Strategy, an infrastructure and construction advisory firm based in Bogotá, Colombia, that specializes in technical advisory services to assist clients deliver results in innovative ways.

Gamboa took time to explain what he discussed at the event, how the challenges of 2020 have impacted his business, and how he uses what he learned in the MPM program in his everyday work.

"Artificial intelligence, robotics, three-dimensional printing, big data, and blockchain technologies are disrupting the [construction] industry across the world." — Bernardo Gamboa (MPM '98)

What was the key message of your speech at the Digital Global Summit?

The construction industry is changing significantly. Artificial intelligence, robotics, three-dimensional printing, big data, and blockchain technologies are disrupting the industry across the world. Latin America is not an exception in this trend. Although we are behind in the development and consolidation of a strong startup ecosystem, the region represents not only a huge market, but it has its own needs that bring opportunities to entrepreneurs. 

Why is it important to share what you've learned with other technology startups?

The key to having a strong startup ecosystem is to share experiences and to present successful case studies. To continue with the disruption in the industry, it is important to show entrepreneurs that the current challenges require more initiatives to bring forward better technologies and solutions. 

What do you, as a partner at a global consulting company, take away from speaking at an event like the Digital Global Summit?

BuiltWorlds is a network of leading companies and individuals involved in the transformation of our industry. Having a global impact is an effort that requires connecting people around the world to share experiences and knowledge. Speaking at Digital Global Summit gives me access to knowledge and experiences that will positively impact my business and the value my business offers to the region and the communities. 

How have the challenges of 2020 impacted Global Project Strategy?

As a company, we already had a virtual working environment when the pandemic was declared and most governments imposed lockdowns. Our challenge was not going virtual, it was reaching every one of us in different locations and making sure health and safety was there. Regardless of where we were working from, everybody had to follow certain protocols and take all possible efforts to prevent the spread of a contagious disease.

Why is it so important for your clients to be innovative in order to improve their results?

Innovation represents a change that improves the way we do things. If we are able to improve the way we work or manufacture products, I believe results will go hand-in-hand with it.

How have you taken what you learned in the MPM Program and applied it to your everyday work?

The MPM program provided me with many professional tools. Having access to well-known professors to develop skills such as negotiation, communication, and analytical thinking provided capabilities that I use daily, both professionally and personally.