As a Construction Management student, Max Molldrem ’25 focused his studies on commercial projects, developments designed to serve public or private stakeholders and the diverse communities who use them. Alongside his coursework, he has built a full-time career in game design and development, creating original titles and managing projects for DoBig Games on the Roblox platform.
For Max, the two fields aren’t as far apart as they might seem. “I believe my current job as a project manager in the gaming industry has taught me tremendous skills that are transferable to the construction field, like leadership, communication, organization, etc.,” he shares.
This led to "The Presence of Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry," the first episode of Constructing Intelligence, an aptly named podcast Max created as part of his final Directed Study project.
In this episode, Max speaks with Dan Williamson, Director of Artificial Intelligence AI at Ryan Companies, who explains the four types of AI, its growing influence on Construction Management, how the industry is using it strategically, and what the future of AI in construction might hold.
The podcast closes with Dan offering guidance for Max as a recent Construction Management graduate with a deep interest in AI and proven talent in designing digital environments. For Max, whether in gaming or construction, the work is ultimately about the same challenge: bringing a vision to life by leading teams, managing timelines, ensuring clear communication, and delivering a product that truly serves its users.
You can listen to "The Presence of Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry" on Spotify. No password required.
Anastasia Faunce is a writer and content strategist with the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, where she covers pre-college, ESL, long-term care, and applied undergraduate degree programs, as well as alumni engagement and development initiatives. A former director of several CCAPS programs, Anastasia previously served as the director of public relations for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and continues to collaborate regularly with artists and designers. Connect with her via LinkedIn.
