The energy industry is accelerating investment in digital twin and artificial intelligence technologies.

Introduction

The energy and infrastructure industry is accelerating its adoption of digital twin and artificial intelligence technologies. According to a recent survey conducted by Bentley Systems and commissioned by research firm Verdantix, over 70% of organizations plan to increase investments in digital twins within the next two years, while the application of AI in asset inspection and fault prediction is rapidly expanding.

Research Background

The study conducted in-depth surveys of executives from the energy, mining, transportation, and water industries, aiming to assess progress in digital operations and infrastructure resilience. Key findings indicate that although most companies have established resilience strategies, fragmented data systems severely hinder execution capabilities.

Key Developments

• Accelerated Digital Twin Investment: Over 70% of surveyed organizations plan to increase digital twin spending within the next two years to achieve more efficient asset management and operational visualization.
• Expanded AI Adoption: Half of the respondents already use AI in inspection work, and more than 40% of companies have deployed AI-based fault prediction functions to detect equipment issues in advance.
• Widespread Resilience Strategies but Hindered Execution: More than 80% of organizations have established or are developing infrastructure resilience strategies, but data silos and fragmented digital platforms are the main technical obstacles.

Industry Impact

Open digital twin platforms are becoming key technologies for integrating engineering, operational, and environmental data, driving the industry's shift from reactive maintenance to predictive asset management. Chris Bradshaw, Chief Sustainability and Education Officer at Bentley Systems, noted: "By integrating disparate data sources into a unified, accessible environment, open digital twins enable engineering teams to shift from reactive maintenance to predictive insights and more proactive long-term planning."

Challenges and Risks

Despite the promising prospects of digital technologies, over two-thirds of respondents identified data fragmentation and isolated digital platforms as the top technical challenges. Priyanka Bawa, Principal Analyst at Verdantix, stated: "While most organizations have resilience strategies, their digital systems are rarely sufficiently integrated to execute that strategy." This limits companies' ability to generate predictive insights across interconnected assets.

Future Outlook

As digital twin and AI technologies continue to mature, the industry is expected to accelerate its transition toward data-driven operational models. Bentley Systems emphasizes that open-standard digital twin platforms will help break down data barriers and support more efficient infrastructure lifecycle management. In the coming years, demand for digital solutions in the energy and infrastructure sectors is likely to grow further.

ConclusionThe global engineering industry is undergoing a profound digital transformation. The integration of digital twins and artificial intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance asset reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize operational decision-making. However, addressing data integration challenges remains crucial to unlocking the full value. This trend also reflects the broader process of industrial modernization, where digital technologies are reshaping the planning, construction, and operation of global infrastructure.