AI-Powered Software Tackles Civil Engineering Talent Shortage

• Proeksa Meas
• 15 August 2026
• Construction Focus
• 253 Views

Civil engineering firms are facing a critical labor shortage, with millions of infrastructure workers needing replacement over the coming decade. To combat this, leading engineering firm Stantec has adopted Bentley Systems’ OpenSite+, an AI-powered design solution designed to automate the most time-consuming and complex aspects of site development.

Site grading—the intricate process of sculpting terrain for buildings, parking, and drainage—has historically been a difficult skill to teach, requiring years of experience to master. OpenSite+ addresses this by using AI to automate foundational tasks, such as earthwork analysis and drainage design.

By generating multiple site design proposals based on real-world constraints like local regulations, regional construction costs, and climate-specific requirements, the software allows engineers to evaluate tradeoffs more efficiently.

Unlike traditional 2D CAD software that relies on manual lines and separate calculations, OpenSite+ creates an intelligent, three-dimensional model from the start. This transition streamlines workflows by shifting the focus of engineers from manually producing design iterations to reviewing and validating AI-generated results.

This not only makes onboarding newer staff more intuitive but also empowers experienced engineers to focus on high-level judgment and quality control. By catching costly errors during the design phase rather than in the field, this AI-driven approach is helping firms like Stantec deliver projects faster and more accurately despite staffing constraints.

• Bentley
• AI
• Bentley Systems
• OpenSite+