As the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act reaches our diverse client base, WGI anticipates continued strength in the federal and state transportation and infrastructure markets. According to our CEO, David Wantman, despite the continued challenges in the labor market, the market has proven very resilient in the face of what has oftentimes been contradictory macroeconomic data.
Given this industry backdrop, we asked a selection of WGI leaders and subject matter experts across our divisions for their thoughts and predictions in terms of what we can expect to see in our industry in 2023 and beyond.
Overall, we saw a continuation of strategic themes from last year’s predictions related to innovation, sustainability, resilience, and adaptability as digital transformation continues to transform our industry, but some interesting new shifts and consequential developments as well.
Our experts expect to see the continued fusion of technology and infrastructure; design standards changing to improve the resilience of infrastructure; architects envisioning tomorrow’s vibrant and adaptable destinations with reverence to yesterday; the year that the “surprise” of catastrophic events will be greatly lessened with access to real-time flood forecasting; the growth of alternative energy going hand-in-hand with the proliferation of EV charging installation; maximizing water as a resource with cutting edge infrastructure; tech skills in our industry moving from perk to preference; small-scale interventions creating system-wide change via the use of data analytics; intelligent data extracted from non-intelligent sources (LiDAR, imagery) via the use of AI; and much more.
Our industry is innovating with emerging technologies such as AI/ML, digital twins, and data analytics, but is also morphing rapidly to incorporate requisite skill sets and acquire talent to further automate the design space. The industry is also doing more with less by using these technologies to accomplish quick wins through automation as well as building for the future.
According to our recent primary research, some of the key technology enablers seen as having a major business impact in 2023 include AI/ML, autonomous vehicles / electric fleets, digital twins, AR/VR, predictive analytics, and LiDAR. Most interestingly, they’re being combined and fused together to deliver innovative outcomes that aid industry insights and decision making as our Associates share here:
The future of the infrastructure industry depends on innovative thought leaders influencing our industry to adopt the latest cutting-edge technologies and practices in order to remain flexible.
WGI is dedicated to embracing innovation, technology, and empowering our associates to transform how our world is envisioned, designed, and experienced.
If you would like to have a conversation with one of WGI’s thought leaders to discuss any of the topics covered in this article, feel free to contact us.
Nicholas Evans is VP, Chief Innovation Officer at WGI where he supports the firm in the development and implementation of technology-enabled strategies for innovation, sustainability and growth, leveraging opportunities for digital transformation.
Prior to WGI, Mr. Evans was Research Vice President in Gartner’s Strategy and Innovation practice where we worked with global private and public-sector organizations to define and apply best practices in digital transformation, strategy and innovation.
Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Evans was Global Head of Innovation and VP & GM, CTO Office at Unisys where he was responsible for the client-facing global innovation program, technology strategic initiatives, as well as leading the company’s strategy and thought leadership focus on digital transformation, disruptive technologies and trends. With more than 25 years of consulting experience, he previously ran the Global Emerging Technology Consulting practice at KPMG as well as serving as the National Technical Director for E-Business Consulting and System Integration at PwC. He co-founded the National Internet Consulting Practice for Coopers & Lybrand in the late-90s.
One of Consulting Magazine’s Top 25 Consultants, and one of ComputerWorld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders’, he is the author of over 10 books on business and technology strategy including titles from the British Computer Society, Financial Times Prentice Hall, Tech TV and Microsoft Press. He has shared his perspectives in leading publications as well as broadcast media such as CNBC Squawk Box, History Channel and Discovery Channel. His most recent book is the multi-award winning ‘Mastering Digital Business’ a strategic guide to the next wave of digital transformation.
He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. from Southampton University in England. His extracurricular interests include triathlon having been a member of Team USA and former U.S. National Champion in his division.
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