Digital Twins Are More Than 3D | Kelly Watt on Reality Capture, AI and What Comes Next

What actually makes something a digital twin and when is it just a 3D model with a better name? Kelly Watt joins Matthew Byrd in the Reality Capture Network studio for a deep conversation about the evolution of reality capture, digital twins, LiDAR, AI and the technology changing how we understand and manage the physical world. Kelly traces an unconventional career that took him from telecommunications across Asia to early forensic laser scanning, FARO, large-scale reality capture projects and eventually complex digital twin initiatives at DFW Airport. Along the way, Kelly and Matt unpack what years of testing emerging technology taught him about being an early adopter, why impressive-looking data still needs validation, and why organizations need to start with the business problem instead of the latest piece of technology. They also tackle one of the industry's most misunderstood terms: DIGITAL TWIN. Kelly breaks down why a digital twin is more than a static 3D representation, why the data and relationships behind the visualization matter, how information silos can be connected, and how AI could dramatically accelerate the ability to organize, validate and use that information. But as AI becomes more capable, another question emerges: Are we becoming better at using technology or becoming too dependent on it to think for us? From reality capture and digital twins to AI, robotics, critical thinking and the future of work, this conversation is about much more than technology. It's about learning how to question it, test it and understand where you fit as the industry changes.