What Hosting a Tech Podcast Has Been Teaching Us About the AV Industry

Over the past season of Built Together, one thing has become abundantly clear: the AV industry is no longer just about technology — it’s about people, culture, and how rapidly evolving tools shape the way we work, gather, and collaborate.

Through conversations with industry leaders, designers, technologists, and visionaries, our podcast has explored how AV sits at the intersection of human experience, built environments, and emerging innovation. As we head into a new year, here’s a look at what these conversations have taught us - and what you can expect next.

1. Human-Centered Design Is No Longer Optional

Across episodes, a recurring theme emerged: technology that doesn’t account for people ultimately fails.

From discussions on neuroinclusive design to conversations about workplace behavior and collaboration, our guests emphasized that spaces must be designed around how people actually think, feel, and work - not just how rooms look on a floor plan.

Key takeaways:

• There is no such thing as an “average user.” Designing for the middle often means designing for no one.

• Sound, lighting, temperature, and visual complexity have a direct impact on focus, well-being, and productivity.

• AV professionals need to be involved earlier in the design process to ensure technology supports human outcomes, not fights against them.

The future of AV design is empathetic, adaptable, and deeply human-centric.

2. Collaboration Starts Long Before Technology Is Installed

One of the most consistent lessons from Built Together is that successful AV outcomes are rooted in early, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Architects, designers, IT teams, AV professionals, and end users must work together from the beginning - aligning on why a space exists before deciding what technology goes into it.

We’ve learned that:

• Late-stage AV decisions limit innovation and increase friction.

• Technology should be designed around workflows, not retrofitted into spaces.

• Change management is just as important as hardware and software.

When collaboration is prioritized early, technology becomes an enabler - not a constraint.

3. Technology Is Evolving Faster Than Culture

Another powerful theme throughout the podcast has been the tension between rapid technological advancement and slower organizational change.

AI, cloud platforms, automation, and data-driven systems are transforming the AV landscape - but people and processes don’t always move at the same pace.

What we’ve learned:

• Organizations don’t resist change because of technology - they resist it because of culture.

• Technology only delivers value once people know how (and why) to use it.

• Transparency, communication, and education are critical to adoption.

The AV industry’s opportunity lies not just in delivering cutting-edge solutions, but in guiding people through meaningful transformation.

4. The Rise of AI, Smart Buildings, and Data-Driven AV

This season also highlighted how AI and smart technologies are reshaping the AV ecosystem.

From intelligent audio systems and adaptive environments to AI-assisted design, planning, and event experiences, the future is already unfolding.

Key insights include:

• AI is enhancing creativity, not replacing it.

• Smart buildings rely on AV systems as core data and experience layers.

• Cybersecurity and sustainability are now inseparable from AV conversations.

As AV continues to merge with IT, facilities, and digital experience platforms, the industry must think holistically — balancing innovation with responsibility.

5. Global Perspectives Are Shaping the Industry

Conversations around global events, large-scale collaboration, and international innovation reminded us that AV is no longer a regional industry.

What happens in one market quickly influences another. Global shows, shared standards, and cross-cultural collaboration are accelerating how ideas spread and evolve.

The takeaway? Staying curious, connected, and globally minded is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the New Year

As we head into the new year, Built Together will continue to explore the ideas shaping the future of AV — with even more diverse voices and perspectives.

We’re excited to welcome upcoming guests including Sam Kennedy and Jokya Sanders, who will bring fresh insights into leadership, innovation, culture, and what’s next for the industry.

Expect deeper conversations around:

• The future of collaboration and workplace experience

• Leadership in a rapidly evolving tech landscape

• The role of storytelling, culture, and trust in technology adoption

• How AV professionals can lead - not just respond - to change

Final Thoughts

If there’s one lesson Built Together continues to reinforce, it’s this: the AV industry is no longer just building systems - it’s shaping experiences.

As technology evolves faster than ever, our responsibility is to ensure it remains human, inclusive, secure, and purposeful.

Stay tuned - the next chapter is just getting started!