VHB’s engineers were facing a growing challenge: engineering software had become too complex to keep up with. Sometimes the technology evolved faster than the projects they were delivering. Each new release introduced useful features and workflows, but they required time to learn, troubleshoot, and master. Meanwhile, project deadlines didn’t wait. Hours were lost searching for answers online while progress stalled and frustration mounted, especially for entry-level and intermediate users balancing legacy processes with modern digital delivery.
VHB realized that the traditional approach consisting of training sessions, manuals, and peer support wasn’t enough. Engineers needed real-time help, not another PDF or forum thread. The firm asked a simple question: What if we could give every CAD user a knowledgeable coworker who never sleeps, never takes a vacation, and knows Bentley software inside and out?
That question sparked the creation of VHB’s digital coworker, an AI-powered assistant designed to accelerate learning and eliminate downtime.
How VHB Built Its AI Assistant for CAD Workflows
In early 2024, VHB combined its model-based design philosophy with Microsoft Copilot Studio and Bentley’s extensive online documentation. The goal was to create an AI agent that could interpret user intent, understand CAD workflows, and deliver accurate answers instantly. By May, the first prototype was live. By August, an improved version rolled out company-wide, integrated seamlessly into Microsoft Teams where engineers already collaborated.
The digital coworker drew from thousands of Bentley resources, from product documentation to community forums and videos. Users could ask questions in plain language, share screenshots, and receive actionable guidance in seconds.
Within months, usage skyrocketed to hundreds of sessions per month. Surveys revealed that 78% of users found the tool helpful, and even those who hadn’t tried it yet expressed interest. The longer users engaged, the more value they unlocked. The digital coworker reduced troubleshooting time, boosted user confidence, and improved overall knowledge of Bentley software.
Before vs. After: AI in Action
Before:
- Users spent hours troubleshooting, often scouring the internet for obscure configuration details.
- Beginners struggled to learn complex tools, slowing project delivery.
- Advanced users had to memorize or document rarely used settings, configuration variables, and other product details.
After:
- Instead of endless searches, real-time answers are available in Teams chats
- Beginners get step-by-step explanations, learning Bentley software as if they had a private tutor.
- Users retrieve advanced settings, configuration variables, and other product documentation instantaneously, optimizing their productivity without memorization.
- Entire teams save hours weekly, with some reporting up to 7.5% time savings per week.
In one dramatic example, a design team faced a daunting task: extracting data from thousands of DGN files. They estimated the task would take “in the thousands” of hours using traditional methods. Instead, they used the digital coworker to generate a VBA application which completed the task in just a few hours, saving over 1,000 work hours and delivering immediate relief to the team.
Scaling AI Across the AEC Industry
VHB didn’t stop at internal success. The firm shared its approach at conferences and on podcasts and webinars. Today, they estimate that they have helped at least ten times more people externally than VHB employs. This innovation is influencing firms nationwide, accelerating the AEC industry’s transition to digital workflows and paving the way for smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.
“VHB continues to scale model-based design across our footprint, which incorporates 3D models, digital twins, and a modern mindset with our standard procedures. AI has become an integral part of this effort. It solves a limiting constraint in the workforce: rate of learning.”
— Kyle Rosenmeyer, P.E.
AI Capabilities in ProjectWise and Bentley Infrastructure Cloud
While VHB’s digital coworker is a compelling example of user-driven innovation, Bentley is also embedding advanced AI features directly into its project delivery solutions Bentley Infrastructure Cloud Connect and Bentley Infrastructure Cloud ProjectWise.
AI-Enhanced Search in ProjectWise
The latest version of ProjectWise Explorer now includes AI-powered search capabilities designed to dramatically reduce the time engineers spend looking for project data. Using chat-like interface and natural language, users can search across multiple data sources and receive instant, context-aware summaries without opening files or switching applications. Now teams can stay focused on high-value work instead of spending time constructing complex queries or digging through file folders.
AI-Powered Media Indexing in Bentley Infrastructure Cloud Connect
Bentley Infrastructure Cloud Connect features AI-powered media indexing, a powerful automation tool that analyzes and organizes media assets such as images, videos, and documents. This makes visual content searchable and actionable within the connected data environment, supporting faster collaboration and more informed decision-making across the project lifecycle. These capabilities are especially valuable for teams managing large volumes of project data and media.
The Future of Engineering with AI Support
VHB’s journey shows how AI can empower engineers to overcome complexity and focus on innovation. At the same time, Bentley’s ongoing investment in AI-driven features within Bentley Infrastructure Cloud ensures that the broader engineering community can benefit from smarter search, automated media management, and connected workflows. As these technologies continue to mature, the future of infrastructure design and delivery will be shaped by a blend of human expertise and AI-powered support, helping engineers everywhere work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence.
