Embracing digital and technological disruptions must have well thought out use-cases and clear objectives

How do you see technology disruptions shaping the future of infrastructure development?

I see technology as a key enabler for sustainable infrastructure development across the plan- execute-maintain-renew cycle. Technology disruptions will play direct and indirect roles that force a shift towards sustainability, democratization, inclusion, efficiency, speed and minimizing inconveniences of infrastructure development as well as its use.

With digital technologies such as IoT, Digital Twins, Blockchain, 5G, AI, Data Analytics, Cloud & Edge computing, Industry 4.0/ 5.0, among others, becoming mainstream, every type of infrastructure is being positively impacted. While technology advancement in the respective domains of Power, Transportation, Communications, Water supply, Waste management, Economic and Social infrastructure play a major role in the above mentioned shift, digital technologies play a key complementary and enabling role.

Some pointers to how this positive change are unfolding may be illustrated with IoT technology, as follows. Allowing hitherto passive components to actively communicate has enabled the collection of rich data that are analysed to decide further calibrated actions or feed AI/ML engines to facilitate predictive analytics. This results in enhanced capability of systems, and optimal use of resources, besides other benefits.

Can you share examples of specific technological advancements or digital innovations that are revolutionizing traditional infrastructure models?

Digital twins are a powerful technology solution that helps immensely during the planning and maintenance stages. They primarily help in two direct ways- savings on time and savings on materials. Accurately modelled twins of infrastructure and their surrounding spaces enable realistic simulations without having to actually build. Simulations of the infrastructure may be performed to assess impact of different variables and constraints to work out the optimal solution to ensure sustainability, citizen/ customer focus and cost-efficacy.

Projects that were hitherto “unviable” can be revisited with much improved visibility leading to possible solutions.

AR/VR solutions enable virtual mock ups of planned infrastructure to refine plans. This complements the other digital solutions to make accurate plans efficiently.

Data analytics enables real-time decision making with respect to precise infrastructure maintenance thus ensuring timely interventions and minimizing inconvenience to both citizens/ customers as well as service personnel.

What are some key challenges organizations face when integrating new technologies into their infrastructure, and how do you navigate these challenges in your role?

Organizations have to deal with challenges from internal and external stakeholders. Internal Stakeholders
New technology introduction entails change and so the key challenges relate to people and processes. Hence, in effect, it is a journey of transformation. Clear and open communications to relevant stakeholders about the program objectives, goals, expected outcomes and the role of the new technology is critical. An executive mandate must go along with a bottom up socializing of the impending change.

Technology should not be introduced in isolation. A holistic assessment must precede it, wherein the organization set up, business processes adopted and existing technology enablement is mapped to uncover the gaps to fulfil the new business goals and objectives. Any process change necessitated must be implemented before going ahead with the new technology introduction. It is imperative to get the buy in of the stakeholders who are expected to handle the new technology and explain how it would simplify their lives while it integrates with the existing set up. Any concern regarding technology introduction must be addressed. Training, re-skilling (to prepare employees for new roles) shall be undertaken as appropriate.

External Stakeholders- Another challenge is that of the technology itself being new. So, the organization must partner with qualified technology providers on win-win terms to ensure successful implementation. It would be worthwhile having proof-of-concept demonstrations, limited trials and appropriate contracts to ensure that the technology partner stays invested in delivering a successful solution.

In what ways do you believe futuristic infrastructure can contribute to enhancing efficiency, security, resilience, sustainability, and interconnectivity?

As outlined in questions 1,2 & 6 futuristic infrastructure that is enabled by technologies such as AI/ML, AR/VR, Blockchains, Data Analytics, IoT, 5G, Edge/ Cloud computing, to name some, are expected to address the quest for efficiency, security, resilience, sustainability, and cost efficacy across the infrastructure development lifecycle. Optimally managing resource consumption is a key requirement for sustainability initiatives.

These technologies or their combinations address the need for superlative Citizen/ customer experience while utilizing the infrastructure. The array of connected sensors in the infrastructure provides relevant data to operate them securely and effectively. Due to the enhanced situational and contextual information provided, it allows not only optimized use of building materials but also the utilization of the infrastructure. This enhances efficiency, cost efficacy and sustainability. Besides, predictive and precise maintenance ensures resilience.

How important is collaboration between different stakeholders, including government entities, private sector companies, and technology providers, in driving successful technological disruptions in infrastructure development?

Close collaboration between relevant stakeholders is a pre-requisite for driving successful technological disruptions in infrastructure development. Considering that these disruptions have net positive outcomes in terms of sustainability, enhanced citizen/ customer experience, cost-efficacies, such undertakings must adopt the transformation approach as outlined in response to question 3. 7 & 8. Clear communication of goals to all stakeholders, addressing concerns of each stakeholder and aligning all to the overarching goals of sustainability, citizen/ customer comfort and cost efficacy are critical to ensure smooth implementation. Transparency of actions and open communications throughout the infrastructure development lifecycle from conceptualization to execution and operations is required to ensure co-operation from all stakeholders, which in turn ensures success.

From your perspective, what role do emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things play in reshaping infrastructure for the future?

These technologies have a major role to play in the complete lifecycle of infrastructure creation and renewal. Be it conceptualization, planning, execution, maintenance or renewal of infrastructure, these tools have a role to play at each stage.

Conceptualization and Planning – AI/ML powered tools enable analysis as well as suggestions for infrastructure build outs while prioritizing useability, sustainability and cost efficacy. As mentioned earlier, Digital Twins, AR/VR are other digital tools that also may leverage AI to facilitate optimal planning.

Execution – Blockchains may be leveraged to ensure the quality of construction materials/ equipment from source to site. A combo of IoT and AI enhanced data analytics would help optimize costs as resources and construction machinery are used effectively with minimal downtime. In a nutshell, these tools allow us to get the right resources to ensure quality, timely and cost-effective implementation

Maintenance and Renewal - The prime goals of infrastructure maintenance and operations are to take timely and appropriate actions to ensure usability, safety and cost efficiency. Appropriate actions ensure optimal use of resources within the overarching approach towards sustainable practices. Data collected during the lifecycle of the infrastructure may be leveraged to guide timely and appropriate actions for each stage. Data may relate to the infrastructure asset itself, logistics of its maintenance, its usage, the business of operating it, dependencies etc. Data-driven management is key to achieving optimal preventive maintenance outcomes.

It is important to remember that technology is a means to an end. Embracing digital and technological disruptions must have well thought out use-cases and clear objectives. As mentioned earlier, new technology introduction is often a transformative journey. It is strongly recommended to approach the program holistically by considering people aspects, existing processes and tools.

A successful digital transformation program factors in the organizational (stakeholders) aspects, process change requirements and then the resultant automation (tools) requirements. Obtaining the buy-in of key stakeholders is critical for smooth implementation as well as meeting the objectives of the transformation project. Executive mandate, effective communication with all stakeholders, timely training and re-skilling, process re-engineering as needed and selection of appropriate tools are pre- requisites to achieve the desired outcomes. Thereafter, continuous improvement mechanisms with outcomes benchmarked against emerging requirements would ensure that infrastructure evolves constantly. This is the recommended way to future-proof infrastructure.