Hong Kong is one of the world’s most densely built cities, and delivering new infrastructure safely, efficiently, and sustainably has become increasingly complex. Construction projects involve vast numbers of workers, contractors, assets, and safety requirements, all operating in tight urban spaces and under intense public scrutiny. At the same time, the industry faces rising costs, an ageing workforce, and a pressing need to improve site safety and productivity.

To meet these challenges, the Hong Kong Government has launched Construction Industry 2.0, a long‑term initiative to modernize how public works are planned, delivered, and managed. Central to this shift is the use of digital technologies—such as smart sensors, real‑time monitoring, and data‑driven decision‑making—to move construction away from paper‑based supervision and reactive safety management toward more connected, transparent, and proactive delivery models.

Within this context, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is exploring how emerging tools like artificial intelligence and digital twins can help government project teams see what is happening on site as it happens, identify risks earlier, and manage information more consistently across a project’s lifecycle. These efforts are not about technology for its own sake, but about creating safer worksites, better coordination between stakeholders, and more reliable outcomes for public infrastructure projects that affect millions of people every day.

It is against this backdrop that Asia Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) has been appointed as Lead Consultant for the Development of Intelligent Solutions for Smart Construction Applications – Feasibility Study, supporting EMSD’s efforts to translate Hong Kong’s digital construction ambitions into practical, scalable solutions for real projects.

A Digital Owners Rep

AIS will develop and assess solutions to redefine digital supervision, safety management, and procurement efficiency. This includes enhancements to SmartEye 2.0, used for site supervision and real-time safety risk detection, and e-Library 2.0, which manages technical documents and standards, along with the new AI-driven applications such as 4D LiDAR, generative AI, and large language models.

“This win didn’t happen overnight,” says Rye Newman, Head of GISI Ignite, GISI Consulting Group’s technology arm. “AIS and GISI Consulting Group have been delivering AI and Digital Twin projects that improve site safety, increase project efficiency, and reduce the cost of ownership by acting as the Digital Owner’s Rep for some of the largest projects in the world.” 

Building on that experience, these tools will support improved coordination, more efficient workflows, and more informed decision‑making across the project lifecycle.

Introducing ‘Field Hub’, a Reusable Digital Twin

“The delivery backbone of Smart Eye 2.0 will be Field Hub, a reusable digital twin built jointly between AIS and another GISI Consulting Group company, Palladium,” explains Newman. “This project will expand Field Hub’s capabilities even further, allowing us to deliver similar projects across our Group of companies.” 

Supporting Hong Kong’s Smart Development

AIS will work with EMSD and project stakeholders to evaluate the application of these solutions across public works projects, supporting ongoing efforts to advance digital delivery across the construction sector.

“Clients are increasingly looking for partners who can translate digital ambition into durable outcomes,” said Derek Amidon, CEO of GISI Consulting Group. “This engagement reflects our ability to align technology, process, and leadership to support smarter, more resilient public infrastructure delivery.”

GISI Consulting Group company Asia Infrastructure Solutions is a leading provider of sustainable design, engineering, project and cost management, and consultancy services for infrastructure, buildings, and environmental markets. With nearly 900 staff across three countries and over 90 years of experience, the company delivers innovative solutions that shape Asia’s built and natural environments.