Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems
Release Date: 02/10/2026
Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems “For example, if we have a concrete pile, we can change the parameters and use AI to suggest actually a more optimal design with regards to how much concrete is going to be used. So we quite often, as engineers, we are risk averse. So sometimes you can over design to make sure consequences in construction and infrastructure are real. We do need to be precise, but we can use AI to ensure that we have a reduced amount of carbon and concrete in that pile, but still meeting...
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“There is value in being able to articulate the qualitative value of sustainability…And yes, obviously revenues can be attached to that, but obviously just the opportunity to open up new markets more broadly and innovate…There's the risk and compliance component, which tend to be more easy to actually quantify. And then there's the brand reputation…So you can make the case qualitatively in any of those three areas…There's this movement from morality to materiality now that CFOs are involved…We actually take that all the way to the financial statements, to the balance sheet, to the...
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The World Bank reports that, “today, more than half of the world’s population – over 4 billion people – lives in cities.” It also estimates that this shift is going to continue, in fact to DOUBLE to nearly 70% – or 7 out of every 10 people will live in cities by 2050. That’s only 25 years away. At the same time, extreme weather events are increasingly devastating cities – we have all witnesses how Hurricane Melissa decimated Jamaica last week, for example, destroying home and businesses, schools, houses of worship, government buildings, everything. So what can, should...
info_outlineUsing Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems
“For example, if we have a concrete pile, we can change the parameters and use AI to suggest actually a more optimal design with regards to how much concrete is going to be used. So we quite often, as engineers, we are risk averse. So sometimes you can over design to make sure consequences in construction and infrastructure are real. We do need to be precise, but we can use AI to ensure that we have a reduced amount of carbon and concrete in that pile, but still meeting the outcomes that we set out to achieve.”
Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast
Infrastructure like roads and bridges, as well as buildings today need to be built with strong climate resilience, as well as reduced carbon footprint. Innovative software systems are leveraging AI to increase performance. How?
Listen to Lydia Walpole, Senior Director of Global Performance and Chris Bradshaw, Chief Sustainability Officer both of Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems “Year in Infrastructure” 2025 conference.
You’ll hear about:
● How Bentley Systems’ digital twin technology is reducing risk, waste and CO2 and improving performance.
● How sustainability and climate resilience shift the approach to infrastructure builds from “reactive to predictive,” as Chris said, as extreme weather increases.
● How their technologies are transforming infrastructure builds across the globe.
● Plus, career advice, such as:
“I often hear about imposter syndrome, and I know it's easy to say, but I've worked in a male dominated environment my whole career, and I've never felt like I shouldn't be here. And it is easy to say, don't feel that, but you deserve to be where you are. You've worked hard and recognize that. …Secondly, be curious and remain curious, and make sure you are continuing to learn and educate yourself every day….Keep abreast of new technologies.” Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast
And Chris Bradshaw added: “My biggest piece of advice would be to be bold. Don't be shy. Diverse groups make better decisions, always…. You are bringing a different point of view.”
Read Joan’s Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan’s other Forbes articles here.
You’ll also like:
· Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva
· Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of “Technology is Not Neutral” and BBC Broadcaster
· How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025
· 88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG
· The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus
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