In Conversation with Andy Rahden, VP of Solution Engineering, Bentley Systems
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global infrastructure landscape, driving smarter planning, faster execution, and safer outcomes. Combined with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins, AI is enabling firms to automate design workflows, monitor project sites in real time, and make data-driven decisions. While adoption is accelerating across Asia-Pacific, challenges like fragmented data systems, outdated workflows, and skills shortages remain.
Against this backdrop of digital disruption, Bentley Illuminate 2025 in Mumbai provided a timely platform to explore how technology is shaping infrastructure’s future, particularly in emerging markets like India. We caught up with Andy Rahden, Vice President of Solution Engineering at Bentley Systems, to delve into the practical impact of AI, the roadblocks to adoption, and Bentley’s vision for scalable digital transformation.
How do you see AI practically transforming project delivery, especially in emerging markets like India?
Construction and infrastructure have historically been slow to adopt 3D design and digital workflows, especially when compared to industries like automotive or manufacturing. But things are changing fast. Today, AI is enabling automation in drawing generation, which can consume up to 50% of a project’s time. That’s a huge opportunity.
Whether you’re a small engineering firm or a large construction company, AI helps cut down project timelines, automate documentation, and streamline decision-making.
“Not adopting AI today will slow you down tomorrow.”
Beyond efficiency and cost, how is Bentley aligning AI with broader outcomes like safety, sustainability, and equity?
One of the challenges we see—especially in high-visibility projects like bridges—is that aesthetics sometimes get prioritized over structural soundness. That can be risky.
Bentley is one of the few companies offering bridge-specific digital solutions, allowing engineers to simulate and validate safety and performance from the design phase. We use AI to support sustainable materials usage and predictive risk analysis.
“Infrastructure failures like bridge collapses often stem from overlooked structural planning, not just execution flaws.”
What are the biggest hurdles to AI adoption in infrastructure projects today?
It’s not the technology—it’s data readiness. Many organizations have unstructured file systems, outdated software, and poor data hygiene. They invest in AI tools, but don’t feed them the right data, or don’t optimize workflows to make full use of them.
At Bentley, we’re focused on helping our users become data-ready. That includes iTwin-based environments, optimization services, and structured collaboration models.
Customization vs. Scalability—how should Indian firms approach Bentley Infrastructure Cloud?
Customization is important, but over-customization can be a trap. It locks you into rigid workflows, making upgrades and scaling more difficult.
India’s regulatory diversity does demand flexibility, but rather than hard-coding solutions, the better approach is to build configurable systems that can evolve with new use cases.
“Choose a platform with broad applicability. Go wide first, then go deep.”
Predictive maintenance is a hot topic. Why isn’t it mainstream in India yet?
The core issue is a lack of structured, accessible data. Predictive maintenance depends on reliable operational inputs—sensors, standards, centralized access—but most organizations don’t have those systems in place yet.
Digital twins, real-time analytics, and AI insights can unlock predictive capabilities—but only once a foundational data pipeline is established.
As digital twins and cloud platforms evolve, how does Bentley address cybersecurity concerns?
Security is absolutely a top priority for us. We build in certifications, compliance standards, and governance frameworks across our platforms. But here’s the trade-off: the more collaborative your platform, the more complex the security challenge becomes.
We’re committed to helping users collaborate safely, so that innovation and risk management go hand in hand.
What advice would you offer to Indian infrastructure leaders embracing digital transformation?
Three things:
- Avoid over-customization too early—it limits flexibility.
- Prioritize collaboration and continuous learning. Leverage global best practices instead of reinventing the wheel.
- Adopt a systems mindset. AI and digital tools should live inside a connected ecosystem, not as isolated solutions.
Also, don’t let cost be a deterrent. Many believe AI is expensive, but in reality, the cost of not transforming, through inefficiencies, delays, or missed opportunities, is far greater.
Digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s foundational. With AI, BIM, and digital twins leading the charge, firms that embrace these tools will be better positioned for long-term resilience and success. As Andy summed it up: “AI is not just about doing things faster—it’s about doing things smarter, safer, and more sustainably.”
Aligned with this vision, the upcoming AEC Forum, scheduled for 21-22 August at Dwarka, New Delhi, offers a vital platform to advance this dialogue. With its theme centred around “Resilient Infrastructure through Digitalization: Enabling Viksit Bharat,” the forum will explore how technologies like Digital Twins, BIM, GIS, AI/ML, and IoT are transforming India’s transport and water sectors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of India’s infrastructure revolution.
Register now!
