How Bechtel’s going big with AI and automation

Bechtel, a 128-year-old US engineering firm, has created a new role—Vice President of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Transformation—to drive AI, robotics, and digital advancements in its projects. John Platt, the newly appointed leader, outlined the company’s strategy: identifying real project challenges, piloting solutions in live environments, and scaling successful implementations across its portfolio. The company is focusing on highly repetitive tasks like earthworks—excavation, dozing, and compacting—to test autonomous machinery. The goal is not to replace operators but to enable them to supervise multiple machines simultaneously, improving efficiency without disrupting workflows. Bechtel is also deploying an AI-powered project controls suite to automate reporting, integrate fragmented systems, and accelerate schedule development, allowing teams to detect issues earlier and reduce rework. Platt emphasized scalability, noting that while some technologies will advance quickly, others will require time to mature. Bechtel’s approach balances centralized coordination with decentralized innovation, ensuring a structured yet flexible rollout. The company believes these tools will free teams to focus on high-value tasks requiring experience and problem-solving. Bechtel has a history of adopting new technologies, from computer-aided design in the past to early AI experiments in the 1990s. Today’s shift differs in its company-wide, coordinated application of digital solutions. The firm argues that traditional infrastructure delivery methods are struggling to keep up with global population growth and urbanization, making AI and automation critical for meeting rising demand in energy, water, transportation, and digital infrastructure. The transformation aims to enhance project scope and delivery by streamlining operations and reducing manual labor in repetitive tasks. By leveraging AI and robotics, Bechtel seeks to maintain its leadership in large-scale infrastructure projects while improving efficiency and sustainability.