Infrastructure assets are built to last for decades — but the technology used to design, operate, and maintain them evolves at a much faster pace. So how do we ensure that critical engineering data remains accessible, interoperable, and protected over the entire lifecycle of an asset?
In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, host Peggy Smedley sits down with Greg Demchak, Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Bentley Systems, to explore why an open approach to infrastructure engineering is essential. They dive into:
• What "open" really means in an infrastructure software context — and how it differs from "interoperable"
• How open standards, open source technology, and APIs reduce vendor lock-in and protect customer data control
• The problem of data loss when moving between file formats — and how open schemas like Bentley's iModel preserve digital lineage
• Why openness is critical to secure, governed AI in infrastructure
• How Bentley Systems is putting these principles into practice
Whether you're an engineer, a technology leader, or simply interested in the future of infrastructure, this conversation sheds light on why openness matters now more than ever.
Guest:
Greg Demchak — Vice President of Emerging Technologies, Bentley Systems
Open vs. Interoperable
“Open” doesn’t mean what most people think it means — and in infrastructure, that misunderstanding can cost decades.
On The Peggy Smedley Show, Greg Demchak, VP of emerging technologies at Bentley Systems, drew a line that too many vendors blur: Open is the architecture of the data itself, open schemas, open source, transparent structures that anyone can build on.
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2027 Prediction #1: How Digital Twins & AI Will Transform Business Decision-Making
Are businesses getting better at making decisions, or just collecting more data?
In this episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, Peggy Smedley launches her 2027 Predictions Series with a deep dive into how digital twins, agentic AI, and real-time data will reshape decision-making across industries.
Discover why digital twins are evolving beyond visualization tools and becoming powerful platforms for simulating outcomes, reducing risk, optimizing operations, and helping leaders ask better questions before making major investments.
Topics covered include:
✅ Digital twins and predictive decision-making
✅ Agentic AI and real-time business intelligence
✅ Manufacturing, utilities, construction, and smart infrastructure applications
✅ Why data alone isn't enough
✅ How businesses can improve confidence in critical decisions
✅ The difference between what could happen and what should happen
Peggy explains why the companies that win in 2027 may not be those with the most data, but those asking the best questions.
Looking to sponsor an upcoming segment of The Peggy Smedley Show? Check out the exciting topics planned for the coming months and send your ideas to [email protected].