4th ANNUAL
Digital Built World Summit

18-19 February 2025 | Doltone House Darling Island, Sydney

Australia’s leading event focused on the digital transformation of infrastructure assets & the built environment

DIGITAL TWINS – AUTOMATION - ASSET MANAGEMENT – ENGINEERING - INFRASTRUCTURE 4.0

About the event

The Digital Built World Summit is where leaders from across the technology, operations, asset management, engineering and project management functions have come together since 2022 to learn how digital technology is revolutionising infrastructure development and asset management.

In 2025, we’ll be exploring how the integration of design models, reality capture imagery, IoT sensor data, and other sources into dynamic 3D immersive infrastructure is transforming project delivery outcomes and asset operations. The program features 40 experts from across the built environment, utilities, energy, mining and transport who’ll share their experiences and highlight how digital thinking can drive more value from data, optimise infrastructure performance and deliver better outcomes for business and society.

  • Digital Built World Summit is the meeting ground for the sectors responsible for the digital transformation of asset-intensive infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand – utilities, energy, transport, water and more
  • The Summit traces a path from digital engineering beginnings to fully automated digital twin operations
  • We feature case studies on digital twin AI asset developments, new asset response frontiers and digital innovation across critical infrastructure – especially complex networks of essential assets
  • We focus on asset performance themes including using operational asset twins, ensuring real time monitoring, and AI data gathering for twin development, asset intelligence and net zero controls

Summit will start in...

Meet Our Speakers

Sean Young

Global Director - AECO, Geospatial, and AI Solutions, NVIDIA, USA

Belinda Hodkinson

Technical Director - ANZ Digital Transportation Lead, AECOM

Albert Yu

Digital Engineer, Melbourne Airport

David Jenkins

CEO, The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia

Joanna Marsh

Co-Founder & CEO, Unseen

Rowan Braham

Principal Engineer – Artificial Intelligence, Laing O’Rourke

Keri Niven

Digital Practice Leader, New Zealand, Aurecon

Jonathan Nelson

Global Head of Digital, Populous

The Program

The 2023 Program

The Digital Built World Summit is Asia-Pacific’s premier event for executives in the AEC, Smart City, Construction and Infrastructure space focused on improving digital business outcomes, including strategic innovation, connected assets, sustainable construction, user experience, and optimisation of capital planning for large assets.

The Digital Built World Summit 2025 will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

Agenda

Day 1 | Tuesday, 18th February

Twin Worlds

08:30

Conference Registration and Morning Refreshments

09:00

FuturePlace Welcome

Roderic McLauchlan, Event Director, FuturePlace
09:05

Chair’s introduction: Creating New Value

Belinda Hodkinson, Technical Director - ANZ Digital Transportation Lead, AECOM

Digital Worlds

09:15

KEYNOTE: AI and Digital Twins in AEC: a new era of productivity across planning, design, construction, and operations

Artificial intelligence is opening up opportunities for AEC and clients to embrace new technologies and the shift to platform-based asset models. The transformative potential of AI-enhanced digital twins lies not only in their technical prowess but also in fostering partnership collaboration and innovation. 

Sean Young, Global Director - AECO, Geospatial, and AI Solutions, NVIDIA, USA
09:45

PANEL: AI powered automated digital twins – Flight of fancy or a giant leap forward?

While AI-powered digital twins for real time operations might not be part of your organisation’s standard business processes today, it seems likely they will have a profound impact on how we will design, build and operate our cities, transportation networks and infrastructure assets of tomorrow.  

Panellists:
Mathew Gill, Director, ANZ Digital Twin Lead , AECOM
Mathilde Booth, Associate, Digital Enablement, Aurecon
Elouise Robinson, NSW Digital Engineering Lead, Bridges, Aviation and Roads, WSP
Albert Yu, Digital Engineer, Melbourne Airport
Facilitated by:
David Jenkins, CEO, The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia
10:30

Morning Refreshments, Speed Networking & Exhibition Viewing

Twin Evolution

11:15

FUTURE VIEW – Digital and data-driven innovation in digital asset delivery

Digital and Data-Driven Innovation is transforming how assets are designed, delivered, operated, and managed. The end goal is better outcomes for end-users.  

11:30

ROUNDTABLES: Digital Asset Projects

These quickfire moderated 40-minute roundtable sessions enable delegates to break up into small focus groups of 20 to deep dive into topics of specific interest. This will be followed by a quick 2-minute recap of each table discussion by each of the facilitators. 

Roundtable 1: Digital Asset Management - For Asset Managers and Digital Engineers
Andrew Curthoys, Chair, Australasian BIM Advisory Board
Roundtable 2: Driving the adoption of digital in infrastructure: Recruitment, skillsets and career pathways 
Jacqui Hansen, Senior Asset Management Advisor, IPWEA
Roundtable 3: AI and the Digital Thread: Enhancing product lifecycle
Maggie Koussa, Senior Project Manager, Beca
Roundtable 4: Shaping the Future of Construction Digital Twins
Roundtable 5: Digital asset model planning, delivery and compliance
Jesse Miller, Digital Engineering Manager, Queensland Hydro
Roundtable 6: Vulnerability Management in Unlocked Data and AI
Roundtable 7: Preparing for future digital world, advanced user interfaces and collaborative creativity
12:25

Networking Lunch & Exhibition Viewing

Twin Collaboration

13:50

ASSET TWIN – Developing the twin model and its asset management applications for regional council infrastructure

MPSC is transforming its asset management function by incorporating an asset twin into its planning frameworks. The strategy works for improved asset management but also provides new unexpected benefits such as helping to promote the region as an infrastructure investment opportunity.  

John Dyer, Director of Infrastructure, Moree Plains Shire Council
Tim Mumford, GM, Transport & Infrastructure Digital and Innovation, Beca
14:30

INNOVATION PANEL

Our panel offers insights on how innovation is developing across the digital asset value chain.

Panellists:
Sam Yenamandra, Manager - Innovations and Strategic Partnerships, Murrumbidgee Irrigation
Ben May, Digital Transformation Director - Buildings & Places, Australia, AECOM
Mark Cichy, Director, Design Technology, HOK Group, Canada
Facilitated by:
Keri Niven, Digital Practice Leader, NZ, Aurecon
15:15

Afternoon Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing 

Delegates split into moderated roundtables to share experiences of DTs and AI. Pick the discussion that most interests you. Our moderators provide a summary of the feedback. 

 

Roundtable 1 – Developing and managing an integrated operations centre 

Sruthi Sahebjada, Integrated Operations Planning Leader, Urban Utilities 

Roundtable 2 – Digital Twin handover: Working effectively with operators 

Marelise Armstrong, Digital Engineering Lead, WSP 

Roundtable 3 – Developing new digital engineering talent for AI twins and retaining staff 

Rebecca De Cicco, Principal, Digital Enablement, Aurecon, and Global Chair, Women in BIM 

Roundtable 4 – Buying Twin Platform or developing it inhouse? 

Stephen Witherden, Product Strategy Manager, Beca 

Roundtable 5 – AI Digital Twin Data Strategies for Cities 

Tom Pennington, VP and Global Advisory Lead, Smart Cities Council 

Roundtable 6 – Asset Twins: From Design to Build

Brad Thompson, Senior Water Infrastructure Asset Manager – AEC Design, Autodesk 

Roundtable 7 – Exploring the role of AI in digital twin technology

Michael Pointon, Account Development Executive, Bluebeam 

Digital Delivery

15:45

PANEL: Ensuring the digital asset delivery process generates value across the business

Our panel shares their experience of developing an operational digital asset model within a digital infrastructure transformation program. They discuss the commercial value, the delivery process and how to keep the digital asset ‘alive’ post-delivery. 

Panellists:
Alrun Wigand, Digital Strategist, Energy Queensland
Brett Buhagiar, Digital Engineering Operations Lead, WSP
Tom Inglis, Digital Leader, Delivery, Laing O'Rourke
Jonathan Nelson, Global Head of Digital, Populous
Facilitated by:
Pieter van Schalkwyk, CEO | Ambassador, XMPro | Digital Twin Consortium
16:20

PANEL: AI Twin integration across the digital design and asset development process

The ability to access and share the same information starting in the design stage and straight through to development is essential to reduce project delays and cost. But more importantly for an asset twin, it provides consistent and accurate information. What could possibly go wrong?

Panellists:
Ana Kuusk, Chair, Asset Institute's Virtual Twin Committee, University of South Australia
Jesse Miller, Digital Engineering Manager, Queensland Hydro
Frankie Kong, Digital Services Portfolio Lead WA, ARUP
Paul Morgan, Digital Build & Data Leader, Victorian Health Building Authority
Facilitated by:
Toby Horstead, Asset Management Council | Strategic Asset Management lead and Technical Executive, Advisory, National Chair | WSP
17:00

Chair's Closing Remarks

Belinda Hodkinson, Technical Director - ANZ Digital Transportation Lead, AECOM
17:10

Networking Drinks Reception

Day 2 | Wednesday, 19th February

Integrating Gen-AI

09:00

Chair’s Opening - Harnessing AI for twins and other data-driven operating systems

A digital twin is a very useful thing in its own right. But with AI in support, the possibilities are amplified.  

Real Time

09:15

Simulation-Assisted AI and its innovation value to asset managers and construction operations

AI Simulation leverages AI to analyze data to predict what will be most effective moving forward. These AI models enable digital engineering teams to explore design spaces faster, deeper, and broader than possible with historical data solver methods.  

Joanna Marsh, Co-Founder & CEO, Unseen
09:40

CASE STUDY: Developing AI digital twin capability in AECs for construction data value

As AEC companies continue using digital twins across their portfolio, they are building AI training data and new tools to improve design, construction and asset operations. We learn how AI projects can support both your project needs and those of clients after data handover. 

Mark Cichy, Director, Design Technology, HOK Group, Canada
10:00

PANEL: Integrating AI into digital models for real-time decisions and asset operations

AI can quickly analyse the vast amount of data generated by sensors and sources within the digital model to identify trends, anomalies and potential disruptions in real time. Our panel shares their experiences of integrating AI into real time asset programs and process 

Facilitated by:
Georgios Konstantinou, Real Time Simulations Lab, UNSW
Panellists
Rowan Braham, Principal Engineer – Artificial Intelligence, Laing O’Rourke
Tim Wark, Global Artificial Intelligence Lead, AECOM
10:45

Morning Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing

The evolution of enabling technologies such as digital twins, data analytics, data visualisation and AI – has enabled the effective transformation of traditional energy businesses into digital utilities. APA Group shares their AI-Twin journey.

Data Transformation

11:30

ROUNDTABLES: Data Transformation

These quickfire moderated 40-minute roundtable sessions enable delegates to break up into small focus groups of 20 to deep dive into topics of specific interest. This will be followed by a quick 2-minute recap of each table discussion by each of the facilitators.

Roundtable 1: Enabling the AI Data Transformation - Implementing AI and Data platforms for value
Andrew Spiegelman, Head of Data & Analytics, Service NSW
Roundtable 2: Large language models to drive credible digital twins
Rowan Braham, Principal Engineer – Artificial Intelligence, Laing O’Rourke
Roundtable 3: Asking the right questions to vendors in creating your AI Digital Twin project
Rob Foster, CEO, Geminum
Roundtable 4: Pioneering the Future of Smart Cities with AI powered Twins
Tom Pennington, Vice President, Smart Cities Council
Roundtable 5: Advancements in visualisation strategies for Digital Twins and IoT Platforms
Raphael Fiorini, Principal, MindtreeConsulting
Roundtable 6: Implementing Operational Digital Twins in Infrastructure Projects
Edmund Li, Digital Innovation Manager, Endeavour Energy
Roundtable 7: Simulation Models and Construction Digital Twins
Jonathan Nelson, Global Head of Digital, Populous
Roundtable 8: Creating the Right Data Design for AI Impact on Digital Threads and Models
Simon Vaux, CEO, DEOS Digital
12:25

Networking Lunch and Exhibition Viewing

Gen AI Twin Programs

13:50

CASE STUDY: Digital twin data, visualisation program and the AI strategy

Powerlink is building a network of connected asset twins to support its operational asset programs. One of the outcomes of digital engineering, is to be able to create asset models for community engagement. 

Ryan Davidson, Project Systems Manager, Powerlink Queensland
14:10

INNOVATION TALKS – Integrating Gen-AI, twins and reality capture for AECs and clients

In this session, 4 innovative companies will take the stage to showcase how to tap into new ways of working with twins, AI and digital innovations. 

Moderator:
Dr Maria Rashidi, Deputy Dir, Infrastructure Engineering and Digital Twins, UTRC
Panellists:
Mark Cichy, Director, Design Technology, HOK Group, Canada
14:40

PANEL – Creating the Gen-AI data intelligence platform

We all know the hype — but what do people truly desire from Gen-AI ? How do they wish to interact with this new force? And, most importantly, to what extent can Gen-AI genuinely assist us in operating our assets. What might be the price we pay for AI assistance?

Panellists include:
Daniyal Mian, National Director, Advisory, North Projects
15:20

Chair’s Conclusions and Close of Conference

Energy Queensland’s Future Grid strategy includes the adoption of operational and planning Digital Twins, to adapt to growing DER, complex energy ecosystems and rapidly growing need for automation and advanced analytics. We learn about the strategic drivers, early-stage implementation experiences and the value to the business.

Grid Digital Twin – Underpinning near real-time operations and the push to net zero

Terese Milford, Manager Intelligent Grid New Technology, Energy Queensland

Always in motion the future is …– Integrated Grid Planning in an uncertain world

Alrun Wigand, Digital Strategist, Energy Queensland

“Digital twin transformation is not in the future – its happening now! DBW gets you quickly up to speed.”

Dorota Bacal

Sustainability and Innovation Lead, VinZero A2K - an ARKANCE Company

“DBW gave us good validation of our strategy. It was excellent to connect with like-minded people.”

Alrun Wigand

Digital Strategist, Energy Queensland

“DBW is a good litmus test for where the industry is at regarding digital twin adoption.”

Mathew Gill

Director, Digital Engineering and Digital Twin Lead, AECOM

“You attracted the right mix of asset owners, digital asset implementers and digital twin leaders."

James Condon

Digital Transformation & Intelligent Automation Leader, AECOM

“Attendees were at the right level for us. We had real discussions about issues that matter.“

Jason Lancelot

Solution Engineer, InEight

“I feel like we found our tribe – digital twin engineers and digital strategists from across the sectors”

Rob Foster

CEO, Geminum

“DBW feels important... It feels like a community of practice for a whole new discipline based on AI twins.”

Stephen Witherden

Product Strategy Manager, Digital, Beca

“The speakers know what they are talking about and what they said makes good sense.“

Claire Daniel

PlanTech Researcher, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW

“Great to hear real world stories from policymakers and practitioners. I learnt a lot and well worth the trip.”

Keri Niven

Digital Practice Leader, New Zealand, Aurecon

“Excellent content sessions – lots of good nuggets of usable information for our team.”

Geoff Collins

Head of Product Asset Intelligence, Urban Utilities

“Thank you for the opportunity to be part of DBW and its community of digital engineers.”

Katharina Gerstmann

Director, Technical Excellence & Innovation, WSP
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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

The Digital Built World Summit is a Hybrid event. This format combines the traditional face-to-face conference with virtual elements, allowing both in-person and virtual attendees to access the same content and networking opportunities simultaneously.

High quality curated content

With expert sessions and industry leading speakers, delve into expertly curated content that you won’t find anywhere else.

Live and on-demand

Wherever you are at the time of the event, you’ll be in control. You’ll have the ability to consume all the content being delivered at your leisure through either a live stream of the physical event or on-demand.

Time efficient

If you are based outside of Sydney and for whatever reason can’t make it to the event in-person, you can save on travel time and accommodation costs while still networking with global industry professionals.

Business matchmaking live

Take part in intelligently curated meetings with like-minded individuals that share similar interests and challenges from all over the world through our AI powered matchmaking delivered via our virtual platform.

Accessible from all your devices

Get insights and network at your fingertips – all content sessions and networking activities will be accessible from your laptop, tablets or mobile devices.

Engage, interact and influence

Make the most of your experience by being a truly active participant. Whether at the event or attending virtually, you’ll have the ability to ask questions, participate in polls, and share your experience with other attendees via break-out sessions.

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