In this conversation, Talha Faiz, co-founder of Candid Intelligence, discusses the journey of building a platform that compresses months of pre-construction engineering into hours. He shares insights on the challenges faced in the EPC industry, the importance of understanding user needs, and the technical hurdles in developing AI-driven solutions. Talha emphasizes the need for companies to be AI curious and highlights the potential for technology to transform the energy sector. The discussion also touches on personal experiences, lessons learned as a founder, and the future vision for Candid Intelligence.   Takeaways Candid Intelligence compresses months of engineering into hours. Understanding user needs is crucial for software adoption. The construction industry faces significant inefficiencies in software. AI can help bridge the gap between engineering and technology. Validating ideas with real users is essential for product development. Technical challenges include reading complex diagrams and documents. AI curiosity is more important than being AI native. The energy sector is ripe for technological transformation. Founders must focus on solving real problems for users. Passion and deep knowledge in a field can lead to unexpected opportunities.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Candid Intelligence 00:54 Founders' Background and Early Discoveries 02:47 Identifying Industry Problems 05:32 Building the Prototype and Validating Ideas 07:39 Target Audience and Project Stages 10:16 Proudest Moments and Technical Challenges 11:48 Computer Vision and AI in Engineering 20:23 Becoming AI Native: Best Practices 23:17 Lessons Learned as a Founder 24:49 Opportunities in Engineering 27:59 Vision for Candid and Future of Energy 31:18 Rapid Fire Round and Closing Thoughts   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/