Jack Walsh

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On October 15, 2020, Jack Walsh commented on AI driven bidding and tendering in Construction industry- Human expert+Software1(Niche)+ Software 2(Machine learning) :

I think adding the Human Experts approach to an underlying AI architecture, and pulling together in one product/service is an excellent idea. Having worked tangentially in the field with trades (NECA/IBEW, Glaziers, Sheet Metal and Ironworkers and Teamsters), and the variability in local collective bargaining agreements, reliability of subcontractors and the legal lien laws – just as one example – might impact the pricing, including whether Davis-Bacon applies, etc. In other words, the Human Expert component is helpful in the sense that it can at least attempt to quantify what might otherwise be subjective variables not otherwise brought out or highlighted in a mechanical computing process (no matter how advanced AI might be).

On October 15, 2020, Jack Walsh commented on BidPlace: Bringing the construction industry together. :

I think this is an amazing idea; to level the playing field and create a standardized platform from bid-to-build, so that a lot of the slack can be taken out of the system would create tremendous value. It would also assist on at least a national basis as construction “moves” from the bust to boom areas of the country. (For example, electrical contractors relied on “travelers” from other states to work in Oregon in the mid-90’s, and contractual provisions had to take that into consideration. My background is in employee benefits and (beyond to Systems Development work I started with) I’ve represented Labor-Management Trust funds for both Taft-Hartley (Union) Trades and also state governmental plans such as OPERS and WA state. Having worked with NECA/IBEW, the Sheet Metal, Glaziers and Ironworkers, creating an interface that embedded the local collective bargaining agreements, as well as the Federal (Davis Bacon, etc.), as well as the liability provisions for costs that may flow through to the owner, etc. would be significant.

In Oregon, for example, we were able to establish that all the items in the CBA were included as “wages” for purposes of the lien statute. As a result, we were able to collect retirement contributions from the owner of a project from a defaulting electrical subcontractor, because those debts fell through to the owner. The example simply highlights the legal issues involved with needing to know who you’re dealing with. As this was new law, the owner that developed the property thought that liability for the IBEW members stopped at the contractor. In any event, just an added “interface,” so-to-speak, to your bubble chart, but maybe both financially and politically necessary. (Meaning, if AGC is behind it, it might be helpful to get the national construction trades workers as well.)

On October 15, 2020, Jack Walsh commented on AI-Pandit: a true Guru for the personalized learning path :

This is an excellent tool with ample opportunity to be leveraged as both a community resource as well as an HR tool within organizations. I didn’t see much discussion on what proven tools will be used to convert subjective meanderings into objective measures (such as the Strong-Campbell PII, or MMPI, etc.). It seems there’s a whole host of testing and self-assessment methodologies that can be leveraged to assist in helping the Guru to guide one on the path. “The Tao of Guru”?

On October 15, 2020, Jack Walsh commented on Hubstop – A keystone “rural” community platform :

I think this is a great idea. There may be a partnering opportunity with the Native American community, which (a) is similarly underserved, (b) habitates similar geographies, and (c) may have capital from Casino income to leverage this idea into this larger community. Nice work.