Why Field Materials' CEO Left Big Tech to Fix Construction's Most Expensive, Least Talked Problem

Eldar Sadikov shares how construction procurement is being transformed through AI-powered automation and agentic workflows. Coming from a construction family background and combining experience from AI research at Google and Microsoft, he explains how Field Materials is replacing manual spreadsheets, paper forms, and repetitive data entry with intelligent procurement systems. The conversation explores how AI agents can automate purchasing, invoice processing, delivery tracking, and material management across large-scale construction projects, especially as infrastructure and data center demand accelerates. Eldar also discusses the future of construction operations, where AI-native workflows, smarter purchasing decisions, and real-time procurement intelligence will dramatically improve efficiency, scalability, and project execution across the industry.

 

Key Topics

• AI in construction procurement
• Automation of manual workflows
• Agentic AI systems for contractors
• Infrastructure and data center construction growth
• Procurement intelligence and material tracking
• Construction technology innovation
• AI-native software platforms
• Scaling operations through automation
• Digital transformation in construction
• Future of construction procurement workflows

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eldar Sadikov and Field Materials

02:19 The Need for AI in Construction Procurement

05:18 Automating Procurement Operations

07:44 Building the Field Materials Platform

10:37 Growth and Market Impact

13:01 User Experience and Business Model

15:32 Drivers of Growth in Construction

18:23 Selling to Construction vs. Retail

20:52 Future of Procurement in Construction

23:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

26:01 Emerging Trends in Energy and Infrastructure