VANCOUVER, B.C. — At Bentley Systems’ Year in Infrastructure Conference this week, the global infrastructure software leader unveiled a series of innovative product updates, key acquisitions, and strategic partnerships that promise to redefine infrastructure design, construction, and operations. With a clear focus on openness, AI-powered digital twins, and cross-platform collaboration, the conference set the stage for Bentley’s vision of a more connected and efficient infrastructure future.

Embracing Openness and Digital Twins: The Future of Infrastructure

Julien Moutte, chief technology officer at Bentley Systems, emphasized Bentley’s deep commitment to openness, calling it the “backbone of our digital twin strategy.” As infrastructure projects become more complex, the need for seamless data integration across tools and systems becomes paramount. Bentley’s iTwin platform was developed to address this challenge, ensuring that data is created, managed, and consumed in a centralized environment without the fragmentation that plagues traditional project workflows.

Moutte explained that the iTwin platform serves as more than just a data hub. “It offers a way for engineers, contractors, and asset managers to collaborate effectively, with data that remains accessible and relevant throughout the entire lifecycle of an infrastructure asset.” This open approach ensures that users can integrate third-party tools, leverage domain-specific expertise, and use data in ways that fit their evolving needs.

Moutte also stressed the importance of longevity in data management. “Your data is your data,” he said, underscoring Bentley’s commitment to data autonomy. “By promoting open standards, open-source tools, and open APIs, we are making sure that data remains interoperable and usable for decades.” This openness ensures that Bentley’s solutions can integrate seamlessly with other systems, future-proofing infrastructure projects and reducing operational risks.

Vancouver, Canada — Nicholas Cumins, CEO of Bentley Systems, delivered an impassioned keynote on the second day of the Year in Infrastructure conference, laying out a vision where artificial intelligence (AI) and open data ecosystems redefine the way the world builds and maintains infrastructure. Against the backdrop of Vancouver’s storied urban development, Cumins urged the industry to embrace technology and rethink strategies for a sustainable future, underscoring Bentley’s commitment to innovation over the past four decades.

Cumins began his address with a nod to science fiction author William Gibson, paraphrasing his famous quote: “The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.” In this spirit, he framed the conference as a showcase of possibilities, celebrating groundbreaking projects that epitomize the role of technology in addressing the complexities of modern infrastructure.

“Vancouver, with its 10,000-year history of balancing the built and natural environment, stands as the perfect inspiration,” Cumins said. Drawing parallels between the city’s transformation since Expo 86 and Bentley Systems’ founding in 1984, Cumins noted how both entities have been fueled by forward-thinking approaches, setting the pace for global infrastructure progress.

The Evolution of Infrastructure: From CAD to AI

Tracing Bentley’s history, Cumins emphasized the company’s pivotal role in revolutionizing design through MicroStation, which democratized CAD (computer-aided design) software. As technology evolved from 2D to 3D modeling, Bentley empowered engineers to visualize projects realistically and address issues before construction commenced. Cumins highlighted Bentley’s innovations in 4D construction with Synchro and the company’s leap into digital twins, which create dynamic, continuously updated replicas of infrastructure assets.

The integration of AI is Bentley’s next frontier, Cumins asserted. AI-driven insights are already transforming asset operations, with predictive maintenance using machine learning to preempt costly failures. “We can now predict when road repairs are needed before traffic is disrupted,” he remarked, citing AI’s potential to improve outcomes in infrastructure design, operations, and sustainability.