Creating value using artificial intelligence and digital transformation

At the ongoing Virtual AI Summit in Hong Kong, Fergal Whyte, Director, Arup, presented on 'Incorporate AI and Digital Mindset into Smart Building Design'.

He talked about building with AI, and specifically, Nueron. The team created a multidisciplinary model. Five major parts of the human body were replicated, to create Neuron. Lung was the air handling unit. Blood vessel became pipes. Bone and skin became structure and architecture, etc. Neuron is empowering data-driven architecture. An example is the One Taikoo Place in Hong Kong. It is the first commercial building to get a high rating. It won the Green Building award in 2019. Neuron will also be implementing Two Taikoo Place that will be completed next year.

Next, there is the National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) in Beijing, China, which will also host the Winter Olympics in 2022. There is a 3D bin integrated with building management. There are user friendly interfaces.

Further, there is the EMSD's Regional Digital Control Center (RDCC), in Hong Kong. Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is a Hong Kong government department responsible for inspection and enforcement of the operation and safety for various types of electrical and gas installations, such as railway and tram networks, lifts and escalators, amusement rides, working platforms on building sites, and many more. EMSD life predictive maintenance provides insights and utilization data. These projects have all won numerous awards.

Arup is also looking at energy benchmarking. It is web-based, with AI and ML, market insight, and estimate potential energy saving. Three features of Neuron are portfolio management, real-time digital advisory and graphical presentation. We also have a resilience-based earthquake design initiative. It views existing assets and risks. There are filter list of assets. You can create new real estate strategy.

We also use ML land-use typology. Shanghai has a water catchment area. Transform new interference results into 2D and 3D assets. Another is the Sanya island, China. There is the city of Kaohsiung, in Taiwan. There is domain expertise plug-and-play analytics. We have lots of solutions. We have a protect, upgrade and develop map. There is waste detection from space, as well. Another is about rubbish. We use remote sensing and geospatial analytics to identify the location of illegal rubbish.

Another location is Accra in Ghana. Digital training data is required. Finally, there is post-Covid-19 return simulation SEIR model. SEIR stands for the susceptible, exposed, infectious and removed public. For a wine trade show in North America, we helped a site deduce whether they can hold a show next year. Increasing social distancing is preferred. We have built models for airports, train stations, etc.

Finally, there is the Space Explorer from Arup. It can help you plan for safe operations and re-plan the workplace. Data-driven decision-making approach is crucial to the smart business sustainability, and it also identifies new opportunities. There are measurable KPIs, as well.

Creating value

Shailendra Kumar, VP and Chief Evangelist (Intelligent Enterprise Solutions), APJ & GC, SAP, spoke about creating value using AI and digital transformation.

SAP's focus is to create value. As we look at the world in the current economy, digital transformation is even more significant. However, new problems and opportunities have come to light with greater urgency. How do business address these new challenges as well as sustain new sources of growth? SAP showcased how can AI and massive data created help businesses adapt to massive economic and structural shifts and thrive well beyond with use cases.

There are multiple ways to extract business value from digital transformation. The ability to define new products and new business models, translate into market shares and new power over your industry's value chain.

Technologies are now becoming feasible, viable and affordable. There is connectivity, a smarter world, thanks to AI, ML, NL, predictive, robotics, etc. Car sensors, 3D printing, etc., have also become affordable. There is innovation happening. Customers are now empowered. Engagement is now on their terms. Platforms and devices are changing the playing field. How do we make this real? We need to delight the customers, re-orient your own business and also flex your platform. By combining all three elements, breakthrough business outcomes are possible. You can drive, differentiate, and disrupt.

Delivering these outcomes requires a new approach. Collect insights, deliver! The building blocks of digital transformation are there. The orchestration of a set of knowledge-embedded team, when used together, to augment or automate a plan by a specialist or a professional knowledge worker is essential.

SAP is at the heart of the intelligent enterprise. Data is at the heart of all this change. Digital, customers, complete view of customers, and holistic customers. Trusted data is necessary for personalization and with data privacy. There has to be increased competitive differentiation. There are smart stores, hyper personalization, intelligent assistants, remote experts, instant fulfilment, VR and AR, and application experience are some of the key trends. We have a huge opportunity to shape the future.