Deflation Is the Point of Innovation
Mon Feb 02 2026
What if getting cheaper is actually the goal?
In this episode of KP Unpacked, KP Reddy and Nick unpack why AI-driven deflation isn't something to fear, it's the entire point of innovation. From Davos narratives to Elon's predictions to the Grok CEO's commentary, deflation is becoming the dominant framework for understanding AI's economic impact. But construction, housing, healthcare, and education have resisted this trend for decades. Why?
KP walks through live AI experiments: writing 150 job descriptions in 30 minutes, automating recruiting workflows, and why corporate acquisitions like Consigli (AECOM) and Datagrid (Procore) are really about speed-to-market and talent acquisition, not just technology. The breakdown? These deals are cultural change plays disguised as product acquisitions and the real value is in people who are "in it" 24/7, not just using ChatGPT for poems.
Key topics covered:
Why deflation is a core first principle of innovation and why construction has resisted itThe real structure behind the Consigli acquisition: talent, change agents, and customer pull-throughWhy Procore bought Datagrid for speed, not capability. Bulletproofing AI takes timeHow MCP servers are hackable and why proof-of-concept to production still requires curing timeKP's live experiment: 150 job descriptions written and posted in 30 minutes using Claude CoworkWhy CEOs who subordinate AI strategy should resign, you can't delegate thisThe Canvas Robotics acquisition by JLG and what industrialized robotics mean for wall finishing costsWhy 30% of every building ends up in the dumpster and how AI + robotics finally solve itThe talent arbitrage game: why companies can't hire$5M individual contributors but can acquire themSafety improvements in construction: 96 deaths at Hoover Dam vs. today's job sitesIf you're a founder wondering whether your product roadmap is fast enough, an investor trying to understand why acquisitions are spiking, or an operator who thinks "using ChatGPT" counts as AI adoption, this episode will reset your expectations for 2025.
Listen now.
BuildingWorks & Brookwood Sponsors
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What if getting cheaper is actually the goal? In this episode of KP Unpacked, KP Reddy and Nick unpack why AI-driven deflation isn't something to fear, it's the entire point of innovation. From Davos narratives to Elon's predictions to the Grok CEO's commentary, deflation is becoming the dominant framework for understanding AI's economic impact. But construction, housing, healthcare, and education have resisted this trend for decades. Why? KP walks through live AI experiments: writing 150 job descriptions in 30 minutes, automating recruiting workflows, and why corporate acquisitions like Consigli (AECOM) and Datagrid (Procore) are really about speed-to-market and talent acquisition, not just technology. The breakdown? These deals are cultural change plays disguised as product acquisitions and the real value is in people who are "in it" 24/7, not just using ChatGPT for poems. Key topics covered: Why deflation is a core first principle of innovation and why construction has resisted itThe real structure behind the Consigli acquisition: talent, change agents, and customer pull-throughWhy Procore bought Datagrid for speed, not capability. Bulletproofing AI takes timeHow MCP servers are hackable and why proof-of-concept to production still requires curing timeKP's live experiment: 150 job descriptions written and posted in 30 minutes using Claude CoworkWhy CEOs who subordinate AI strategy should resign, you can't delegate thisThe Canvas Robotics acquisition by JLG and what industrialized robotics mean for wall finishing costsWhy 30% of every building ends up in the dumpster and how AI + robotics finally solve itThe talent arbitrage game: why companies can't hire$5M individual contributors but can acquire themSafety improvements in construction: 96 deaths at Hoover Dam vs. today's job sitesIf you're a founder wondering whether your product roadmap is fast enough, an investor trying to understand why acquisitions are spiking, or an operator who thinks "using ChatGPT" counts as AI adoption, this episode will reset your expectations for 2025. Listen now. BuildingWorks & Brookwood Sponsors