Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

466 items
Q&A: Talking with Program Manager, Jackie Roe
Q&A

Q&A: Talking with program manager, Jackie Roe

Jackie Roe is an experienced Program Director who has spent more than half her life managing some of the world’s most complex, time-sensitive and publicly sensitive infrastructure projects, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project, Rio 2016 Olympics and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She has also worked in Australia supporting some of our Australian clients deliver their large-scale infrastructure projects, and is currently working on a major clean energy program in the U.K. We’re connecting with our team of engineering heroes around the world to showcase their careers and how each of them help Jacobs to live up to our promise of Challenging today. Reinventing tomorrow. Here, we talked wit Jackie about career, the STEAM heroes who inspire her and what she gets up to outside of work . Tell us a bit about what you’re working on these days. Having spent nearly eight years in the U.K. working on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project in London and prior to that on the Rio 2016 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, last year I took the opportunity to travel to Sydney. There, I worked with a variety of our Jacobs teams to share major infrastructure project best practice and key learnings, as well as to help steer and support some of our clients as they embark on larger and more complex infrastructure projects and programs than ever before. Since returning to the U.K., I have joined the integrated client team at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, where Jacobs

A nighttime cityscape featuring tall, illuminated buildings, overlaid with abstract digital circuit patterns to symbolizing technology and connectedness
Thought Leadership

Realizing digital ambitions for the built environment

By: Kurt Moroney Digital technology is transforming how we design, operate and experience buildings and infrastructure. Advanced technologies and vast data insights are unlocking new opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability and resilience, as well as personalized, interconnected and immersive services and experiences. Digital enablement is no longer “nice to have” but rather a critical component that enhances community connectivity, increases asset value and delivers revenue returns on major infrastructure investments. As investors and developers set more ambitious digital goals, urban planners and designers must seamlessly integrate a growing range of technologies into building, precinct and city-wide plans and designs, alongside other critical systems. This requires an expansive skillset that bridges up-front strategy, urban planning, engineering design and technology procurement and deployment. Growing digital ambition creates new challenges Today’s buildings and infrastructure projects are far more than physical structures. Traditional operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems are converging with technologies such as sensors, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, digital twins and other “smart” enhancements to drive asset performance. Emerging technologies, such as interactive surfaces and holography, atmospheric technologies, gaming technologies, robotics and blockchain, are also changing how we interact with and experience built spaces. Buildings and infrastructure are now intricate ecosystems with digital layered into the overall building design to enhance, customize and personalize the end-user experience. This is especially true in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where giga projects are redefining the scale of ambition for digital enablement in the built environment. Most developers outsource this work to

From Hype to Impact
Thought Leadership

From hype to impact: How the middle east can turn artificial intelligence ambition into real-world value

The Middle East is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic regions for digital transformation — from smart cities powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced transport systems, to digital twins, integrated data platforms and model-based delivery. But as ambition grows, so too does the need for trusted, explainable and value-driven digital delivery. Governments and clients across the region are asking a vital question: How do we translate digital enthusiasm into tangible benefits for projects, citizens and economies? This question was central to a recent industry panel discussion held as part of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) UAE’s ongoing Beyond Engineering: Digital Transformation in the Middle East series. The session was moderated by Jacobs and brought together senior leaders from across the engineering, design and construction community to share insights on how engineering rigor, trusted data and professional oversight can turn digital ambition into meaningful outcomes. Here, we share three key insights from the discussion and explore how Jacobs is helping clients deliver safe, ethical and value-based digital transformation across the region. Explainability-by-design: Building trust into AI solutions As AI and advanced analytics enter the mainstream, clients are increasingly focused on building trust into their digital strategies from the outset. Panelists emphasized that without professional oversight, AI-driven models risk becoming “eager graduates” — powerful yet inexperienced “black boxes” that undermine transparency and accountability. To address this, engineering-led delivery should embed explainability-by-design: model-card level documentation of models, expert validation checkpoints, integrated ethical assessments and comprehensive audits across building information

Port of Miami Tunnel
Thought Leadership

How public and private partnerships deliver real value for clients and communities

By Jacobs’ Director of Commercial Funding and Finance Adam Price In the Red River Valley in central North America, flood risk isn’t an abstract climate statistic — it’s a shared memory and a part of life. When spring snowmelt and heavy rain arrive together, communities worry if emergency calls can be answered, whether hospitals stay accessible and when businesses can reopen. The Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Project exists to answer these questions. It’s a generational investment in protection for a region of roughly 235,000 people, delivered with Jacobs as program manager and public-private partnership (P3) advisor, helping translate public need into a long-term delivery and governance reality. That’s what the best P3s (also known as PPPs or PFI — Private Finance Initiatives — in the U.K.) are really for. Not alternative financing, but certainty, reliability and the right application of experience and talent. A P3 brings private sector expertise and private finance together to deliver public infrastructure, then operates and maintains it to a pre-agreed contractual standard over a long concession, often 25 to 30 years. It’s like a mortgage that includes the upkeep: You don’t pay the full cost upfront, and the monthly payment includes maintaining the asset through its life cycle. The key here is smarter asset management and efficient operations — that's where the greatest value is earned. Across stakeholder roundtables and industry events, the mood is clear: Governments, funders and contractors see P3s as a key tool in stimulating infrastructure delivery globally. Here are five insights I've

Keoki Sears Q&A
Q&A

Rethinking the legacy of global program management: A Q&A with Keoki Sears

Delivering a program today requires lessons from the past and a keen eye toward the future. Keoki Sears shares his insights from 30 years of multi-billion-dollar program management and leadership. He describes how our track record in teamwork, innovation and talent empowerment delivers more than just a program. How are you solving your client’s biggest challenges? It starts with our strategy, purpose and values, defining who we are and what we want to be. The growth accelerators Jacobs has committed to are the mechanisms that help guide us in the sectors we serve and reflect current global conditions. Our growth accelerators cut across the entire organization, creating connections between the global market trends, our solutions and company purpose. I believe program management is the most powerful vehicle for delivering our strategy. For example, programs allow us to rethink climate resiliency through several projects and programs for the global energy transition, which offer fantastic opportunities for our clients and Jacobs to keep playing a significant role in the climate response. In the programs we deliver, we harness data solutions to help our clients operate more efficiently and unlock better outcomes. It's where we use data and tech-driven insights to make better decisions, digitize more assets, empower more reliable and accurate long-term planning, and better operate the infrastructure of the future. Lastly, we're increasingly experiencing incredible opportunities to get involved earlier in program conceptualization and strategy at the source. In some cases, even before clients have conceived of the need for a

water aerial
Q&A

World water day: How is water shaping our future?

World Water Day is a moment to consider water’s importance to life, the environment and thriving communities. It’s also a call to action. As climate impacts intensify and water challenges grow more complex, the need for integrated, forward-looking solutions has never been greater. At Jacobs, that responsibility sits at the heart of our global water team. Leading our team of 9,000 water professionals is Senior Vice President Susan Moisio. From advancing watershed-scale strategies to championing digital innovation and mentoring the next generation of leaders, Susan understands that water connects everything — from energy and food systems to equity and economic resilience. In this World Water Day Q&A, she explains how the industry is evolving, her role championing women leaders and what it means to know water. World Water Day is an opportunity to reflect. You’ve been leading our water team for five years — how has the industry changed in that time? The pace of change has accelerated dramatically. Climate impacts are more visible and more urgent. Extreme events — whether flooding, drought or water quality crises — are happening more frequently. Each one reinforces the need to look at systems holistically. We often say water challenges fall into three categories: too much water, too little water or poor water quality. But the real shift has been in how we address them. We’re thinking regionally and adaptively. Instead of solving a single asset issue, we’re asking: how does this fit within the broader water system? What does this mean over

Aerial view of Dubai skyline at sunset
Q&A

Building with purpose: How architecture shapes placemaking

In this Q&A, Morné shares how his team in Dubai is helping redefine the built environment through future-ready design, digital innovation and human-centered solutions. Tell us a bit about your background, career journey and what brought you to Jacobs. I’ve worked across the design spectrum for more than two decades, from small studios to large, multidisciplinary firms. Originally from South Africa, I moved to the United Arab Emirates to lead architecture on complex, high-profile developments. What drew me to Jacobs was the ambition to bring real purpose to design — not just in aesthetics or function, but in impact. At Jacobs, I saw an opportunity to help shape a culture that values innovation, integrity and deep human insight. I now lead a passionate team of architects and urban designers committed to future-focused, place-based design. What does Jacobs’ tagline “Challenging today. Reinventing tomorrow.” mean to you in the context of architecture and urban transformation in the Middle East? To me, it’s a call to action. In this region, where transformation happens at a scale and speed that’s unprecedented, we have a responsibility to question convention and reimagine the possible. “Challenging today” means confronting legacy systems, outdated processes or design-by-default. “Reinventing tomorrow” means creating environments that are inclusive, sustainable and culturally resonant — not just for now, but for generations to come. That mindset is central to our work across Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and the wider region. What makes Jacobs’ approach to architecture unique in this region? We’re not just designing

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Landscape at night
Thought Leadership

Shaping saudi arabia’s future cities through bold ambition

Saudi Arabia’s transformation is redefining how cities are planned, funded and delivered. Abdulelah Alsheikh reflects on lessons learned from giga projects, the role of governance and systems, and how ambition itself has become a national capability shaping Vision 2030. From projects to systems One of the biggest lessons I’ve carried into my role at Jacobs is that urban transformation isn’t only about delivering physical projects. True transformation happens when institutions are strengthened, governance models are refined and systems are built to last. Infrastructure can be constructed in years but institutions endure for generations. That’s why my focus with clients is not only on assets delivered but also on capabilities embedded — ensuring the systems behind those assets are resilient enough to support ambition well beyond Vision 2030. The defining shift Looking back over the past decade, the Kingdom’s defining achievement is not a single metro line, airport or giga project — though these are remarkable in scale and speed. The real shift has been philosophical. Urban development has moved from being reactive to growth to becoming a proactive tool for competitiveness, quality of life and global positioning. That mindset shift — treating urbanism as a strategic lever rather than a byproduct — is perhaps the most valuable infrastructure Saudi Arabia has built. Opportunities and challenges at scale As we accelerate toward Vision 2030, the opportunity before us is unique: to leapfrog legacy models. Most global cities retrofit sustainability, mobility and cultural identity into systems already in place. Saudi Arabia can

vibrant cityscape of Brisbane at dusk, viewed from an elevated perspective
Thought Leadership

Beyond the games: Designing Australia's infrastructure legacy

Brisbane 2032 will test Australia’s ability to deliver disciplined, future-ready infrastructure on a global stage. With strong governance, collaboration, and innovation, the Games can redefine how the nation plans, builds, and leaves a lasting legacy of sustainable growth.

Todd Kremmin
Q&A

Changing the world: How Todd Kremmin accepted the challenge

"Challenge accepted" is a call to action. It's a commitment to growth, innovation, and excellence. It's about pushing boundaries, embracing new ideas and not shying away from obstacles. Our people accept the challenge every single day – and we're showcasing a few of their stories. Today we connected with Todd Kremmin, a data scientist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to discuss how he and his colleagues are advancing digital transformation through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.

Urban Sediment Remediation
Thought Leadership

Urban sediment remediation: Six insights for superfund success

Urban sediment remediation projects are arguably the toughest environmental challenges to solve and deliver. This piece distils six proven principles from industry leaders Joe Corrado and Joshua Cummings to reduce risk, limit disruption and transform hazardous sites into lasting community assets.

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

    Visit Future Foundations
    Future-Foundations