The Bentley Brief — January 14, 2025
Welcome to the first edition of The Bentley Brief in 2025! This week, we’re bringing you stories that illustrate the power of innovation and human ingenuity. Learn how engineers rebuilt Kentucky bridges after devastating floods and how digital twins and geospatial data are solving complex infrastructure challenges. Hear from Bentley CEO about the power of open data, AI, and the future of infrastructure. We’ll also highlight the next generation of STEM talent, the storytelling superpowers of Bentley contributors, and five of the most exciting developments in infrastructure today. Join us in exploring how these ideas are shaping a smarter, more connected, and more resilient world.
A Bridge to the Future
Driving the news: After catastrophic floods hit Kentucky in 2022, engineering firms Qk4, Inc. and Stantec turned to digital twin technology to rebuild over 50 damaged bridges in record time. By creating precise virtual models, they helped communities recover faster and build stronger, more resilient infrastructure than before. “We were rebuilding bridges that will last 75 years, can carry a tractor and a school bus, and have openings underneath wide enough so a tree doesn’t get stuck there and the bridge doesn’t get carried away,” says Qk4’s Ben Shinabery .
Interesting fact: Using Bentley Systems software to gather data and create digital twins, Qk4 cut survey costs by 50% and project time by 90%, transforming how bridge assessments and repairs were completed. “We had people from all over at remote locations working on this project around the clock,” recalls Heather Lawler , a principal at Stantec. “From an engineering standpoint, having the digital twin is like being there. It’s a definitive source of information.”
How Bentley’s CEO Sees AI and Open Data Shaping the Future of Infrastructure and Closing the Sector’s Talent Gap
Driving the news: In a wide-ranging conversation with Antony Oliver on The Infrastructure Podcast, Nicholas Cumins CEO of Bentley Systems , talked about the challenges and opportunities facing the infrastructure sector. He addressed the shortage of engineering talent, explained the need for open data standards, and discussed the role of AI in the field.
Interesting fact: Cumins described AI as a game-changer for the sector. He envisions AI automating mundane tasks and enabling engineers to focus on creative problem-solving, ultimately improving project outcomes. But he also stressed that the AI revolution must happen in a “non-destructive” way and that new AI capabilities should not force engineers “to change completely the way they work. If not, they won’t, they won’t be adopted,” he said.
Generation Next: Growing Future Tech Talent
Driving the news: The demand is high for workers with STEM skills, but the talent pipeline isn’t keeping up—especially in fields like #AI, robotics and data science. Bentley Systems is tackling this challenge by supporting STEM education programs worldwide in science, technology, engineering and math, with a focus on addressing diversity gaps.
Interesting fact: Through partnerships like the COYO Design Challenge and initiatives like #STEM Goes Red, Bentley is engaging young students globally. In 2023, Bentley colleagues also contributed $590,000 in STEM grants to programs such as Black Girls Code and local schools in underserved areas.
The Secret Power of Storytelling
Driving the news: Three accomplished authors and Bentley contributors— Deb Miller Landau , Thomas Kohnstamm and Nery Ynclan —share how storytelling helps them communicate complex ideas, connect with people and understand the world. Their experiences range from writing novels and true crime books to telling powerful infrastructure and technology stories at Bentley.
Interesting fact: Deb Landau’s true crime book, A Devil Went Down to Georgia, inspired a two-hour 20/20 episode and earned a spot on Oprah Daily’s top true crime books list. Thomas Kohnstamm’s upcoming novel, Supersonic, made Publishers Weekly’s spring 2025 noteworthy books list. Nery Ynclan’s documentary, Menendez + Menudo, sparked a legal review of a 35-year-old case and demonstrated the power of effective storytelling to drive change.
The 5 Coolest Things in Infrastructure
From orbital living to ancient artifacts unearthed while building a new subway in Greece, the world of infrastructure is full of fascinating innovations and surprising discoveries. This week, we explore #NASA's plans for sustaining life in low Earth orbit, a subway system that doubles as a history museum, climate-driven risks to our cities, a water recycling plant tackling drought and research inspired by Legos that could change how we build. Here's what’s shaping the future of how we live, work and play.
Video of the week:
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io-1AgU2EoQ
Quote of the the week:
"We loaded the data into the computer in the evening and let it analyze the data and build the digital twin. It was ready for us in a couple of hours."? —?Ben Shinabery,?land survey director at Qk4
Land Survey Director at Qk4
1 个月Changing the way we think about digital surveying and helping communities cross safe bridges. #qk4survey #digitalbridges
From 2005 to 2022 in Dept. of Engg. Services, MoWHS 8 Yrs in Dept. of Irrigation and Research , Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 6 Yrs with Office of Their Majesty the Queen Mothers at Motithang Palace
1 个月Very helpful keep it going