Will infrastructure investing really be disrupted by the emergence of new technology? While automation, 3D modeling and drone technology are starting to influence the building and maintaining of an asset, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain are among the innovations set to impact fund administration and investor relations.

For Grant McCullagh, managing director at TTWiiN LLC, this development is long overdue. “When you think about the industry, and the problem-solving involved across the board, starting with planning and architecture, it’s right for automation, AI and integrated IP [internet protocol] products,” he says. “Then you’ve got start-ups popping up everywhere to help initiate this, so it’s a massive change that’s hit the industry, which is pretty exciting. Especially when you’re aware of all of the inefficiencies.”

Robert Otani, chief technology officer at Thornton Tomasetti, feels that the application of new technology has