State of AI

The AI hype is real. It isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s embedded in the way we work, from language models to do our research to predictive driving directions based on our daily patterns. In 2025, the Artificial Intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with major strides in generative models, regulatory clarity, and industry-specific tools that are delivering measurable value. We see organizations working to rapidly adopt AI to stay ahead of competition, while also balancing a tolerance of risk and authoring new policies. Within the infrastructure and engineering sectors, this is a pivotal moment that is going to change the way we work.

One of the biggest shifts is AI moving from labs to job sites. Where hype once dominated headlines, we’re now seeing practical, purpose-built applications, like PipeAid, drive real efficiency gains. Our customers don’t see AI taking jobs but instead becoming a force multiplier that enables staff to do more, without being overworked. Cities, utilities, and engineering firms are no longer asking “Can we use AI?” but rather, “Where can we apply it next?”

Of course, with progress comes complexity. In 2025, governments and industries alike are navigating new ethical and regulatory standards for AI, from ensuring transparency in decision-making to managing data privacy. For firms deploying AI tools, trust and explainability are no longer optional, they’re essential. Understanding this, at PipeAid we often echo the saying “trust through transparency” as we work with our customers to navigate rapidly changing technology.

In the world of infrastructure, PipeAid stands out by delivering structured, traceable outputs rooted in engineering logic. PipeAid turns raw CCTV inspection data into clear, actionable insights that help utility owners make faster, smarter decisions about sewer rehabilitation and replacement. While generative AI and LLM’s may dominate the headlines, it’s tools that solve real-world problems, like applying computer vision to coding inspections for faster results and integrating defect data with GIS, that are quietly transforming how work gets done. The future isn’t coming. It’s already here.

At PipeAid, we believe the real measure of AI’s impact lies in how it performs in the field not just in theory. One example of this is the Town of Newburgh, Indiana, which used PipeAid to take its sewer inspection program to the next level. By applying AI and GIS integration to decades of CCTV data, Newburgh was able to validate its proactive maintenance program, save unnecessary rehabilitation costs, and gain greater confidence in its asset decisions.

You can read the full case study here: Town of Newburgh Case Study