The CIC Launches "Centre for Future Construction"
Drive Innovation and Empower the Next Generation Workforce
HONG KONG, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Construction Industry Council (CIC) yesterday celebrated the official opening of the "Centre for Future Construction" (CFC), marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong's construction industry development. The ceremony took place at the Hong Kong Institute of Construction - Kowloon Bay Campus, officiated by Ir Joseph LO, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau, together with Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC, Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, Prof. Jack CHENG, Chairperson of Centre for Future Construction Project Steering Committee, and Mrs. LO LEE Oi-lin, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Management Board, bringing over 2,000 experts, leaders, government officials, and industry professionals to support the event both online and offline and to celebrate this historic moment.
Spanning over 10,000 square feet, the CFC features five interconnected zones, including the Digital Twin Hub, 4S Hub, AI Hub, Robotic Hub, and Immersive Cave. Each zone showcases advanced construction technologies such as digital twin applications, AI-powered safety solutions, robotics, and Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) immersive training tools. By fostering collaboration and providing hands-on learning opportunities, the CFC aims to equip young talents with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the evolving construction sector.
The opening ceremony commenced with welcome remarks from Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC. He emphasised the importance of embracing the AI era and developing a new quality productive force. "Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionise the construction industry and prepare our future generations to embrace cutting-edge technologies," he stated. "We hope that the Centre for Future Construction will be the beacon of innovation for the construction industry in Hong Kong, guiding the way for the talents of the construction industry."
Ir Joseph LO, Head of the Project Strategy and Governance Office at the Development Bureau, delivered the opening address, "The Government is fully committed to spearheading transformative changes within our industry. In this transformative journey, the CIC has always been our closest partner. The CFC will nurture our new generation and will foster a culture of professionalism for the HK construction industry. So, I call upon everyone to unite our expertise and collaborative efforts to lead our industry into a new era of future construction." Prof. Jack CHENG, Chairperson of Centre for Future Construction Project Steering Committee, introduced the CFC's mission to serve as an industry-wide collaborative and learning platform.
The event featured keynote presentations from four industry pioneers, Mr. Kevin O'BRIEN, Chief Executive of Gammon Construction Limited, Mr. Alex KWAN, Chief Executive Officer, Asia of Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc., Mr. Peter LEE, Head of Commercial Business of Microsoft Hong Kong, and Mr. Raymond JIAN, Director and Partner of RoboticPlus. Their insightful sharing reveals how AI can be leveraged to explore the transformative potential of technology by thinking out of the traditional mindsets, building smarter infrastructure, and propelling industry success.
Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, concluded the event with closing remarks, reaffirming the CIC's commitment to fostering a digitally advanced and safe construction sector. "We anticipate that the Centre for Future Construction will attract over 24,000 visits annually. These facilities will be utilised in more than 100 of our existing courses, including master classes, advanced diplomas, diplomas, and various short-term courses, providing them with a dynamic environment to explore the future of construction," he added.
The ceremony was followed by an exhibition, allowing attendees to explore the CFC's innovative facilities and how the industry can collaborate with the centre and the opportunities for training initiatives.
The CFC aims to empower the workforce of tomorrow by providing hands-on training and fostering partnerships with industry leaders. By integrating advanced technologies and innovative training programmes, the CFC is poised to shape the future of the construction industry, driving productivity and safety.
An Overview of the Centre for Future Construction
The Centre for Future Construction is located on the 3/F of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction - Kowloon Bay Campus, covering over 10,000 square feet and divided into five zones.
4S Hub
Displays Smart Site Safety System (4S) - related equipment, such as Central Management Platform, AI alert system, and offers visitors to try on the smart wearable devices, including safety helmets and smart watches.
AI Hub
Hosts technology-related workshops and showcases the Safety Large Language Model developed in collaboration with the industry, allowing participants to experience the latest AI applications that being used in construction projects.
Digital Twin Hub
Brings the concept of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to City Information Modelling (CIM) and showcases successful projects and technologies including BIM, Geographic Information System (GIS), IoTs and connectivity technologies to help the industry understand the development of smart cities.
Immersive Cave
Utilises Reality Capture and Mixed Reality technologies including Virtual Reality (VR) Cave and AR mobile app for interactive learning, deepening the understanding of how BIM can integrate with physical environment.
Robotic Hub
Features advanced construction robots, such as automated drilling robots and wall finishing robots, allowing trainees to operate and experience their efficiency and safety benefits.
- End –
About the Construction Industry Council
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was formed in 2007 under the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587). The CIC consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry including employers, professionals, academics, contractors, workers, independent persons and Government officials.
The main functions of the CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry's needs and aspirations to the Government, provide professional training and registration services, and serve as a communication channel between the Government and the construction industry.
Please visit www.cic.hk for further details.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-cic-launches-centre-for-future-construction-302469181.html
SOURCE Construction Industry Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Associated Press
A. QS Reopens Global Focus Blueprint Initiative Amid Quantum Breakthroughs in Green Finance
London, United Kingdom, June 1, 2025 -- Atlas Quantum Solutions ( a global leader in intelligent finance and quantum technologies, has officially announced the reopening of its Global Focus Blueprint Initiative, marking a pivotal moment in the internationalization of quantum-powered green finance. This announcement follows the company's recent success with its Earth Day Green Finance campaign and an exclusive interview with Chairman Alexander Mitchell on a major European news channel. Mitchell revealed how proprietary quantum system—Quantum Computational Intelligence Core (Q-CIC)—is revolutionizing environmental markets by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and real-time data utilization in carbon credit trading and green bond issuance. In his words: 'The Earth Day event demonstrated the power of quantum technologies in solving long-standing challenges in green finance. We are now working with global markets to expand these solutions internationally, providing a more transparent and efficient infrastructure for all participants.' Quantum Tech Meets Green Finance: A Global Milestone Q-CIC combines quantum computing and blockchain architecture to transform complex environmental data into actionable market intelligence. By supporting cross-border carbon credit trading and improving investment decision-making, the system strengthens both liquidity and trust in global green finance markets. In a key development, Mitchell confirmed that is currently in talks with leading European investment institutions to integrate Q-CIC into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)—a major step for quantum adoption in environmental policy. ' innovations are redefining the landscape of green finance,' said Emma Clarkson, senior analyst at Green Horizon Capital. 'Their impact on transparency and operational standards could set a new global benchmark.' Final Call for Individual Investors: One-Month Reopening In a landmark board decision, will reopen the Global Focus Blueprint Initiative for one final month, providing individual investors a last opportunity to engage with quantum-enhanced green finance. This comes before the initiative transitions exclusively to serve institutional clients. The limited-time reopening includes exclusive technical support, direct access to quantum-powered tools, and premium prize incentives. Participation is expected to be high following widespread international media attention to Earth Day achievements and the recent global interview. About Atlas Quantum Solutions ( is a pioneering force at the intersection of quantum computing and intelligent finance. With a mission to drive sustainable innovation, develops and deploys advanced systems that empower transparent, data-driven decision-making across global financial ecosystems. Contact Info: Name: Gavin Cole Email: Send Email Organization: Atlas Quantum Solutions Website: Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89161395 Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information.
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
This Ultimate Y2K Sci-Fi Movie Made Virtual Reality Seem Almost Too Real
I've wanted to rewatch the sci-fi thriller Strange Days for a long time, but I kept forgetting because, honestly, I couldn't remember the title. I finally came across it on Hulu and checked it out, and I can't stop thinking about it. Though Strange Days was released back in 1995, it looks and feels like it could've come out yesterday. It's one of those rare old movies that imagined the technology of virtual reality, or VR, without turning it into a gimmick. Strange Days takes place in 1999 Los Angeles during the last 48 hours of the millennium. Lenny Nero, played by Ralph Fiennes, is a former cop who now peddles an illegal virtual reality experience called Playback. Nero's friend and bodyguard, Mace (Angela Basset), tries to keep him rooted in reality and away from trouble. Together, they work to track down a brutal rapist and murderer -- a man who uses VR Playback discs to record his crimes from his own point of view. The movie wasted no time dropping me into its jarring setting: The opening scene is an armed robbery filmed in first-person perspective, with the robber running from cops and jumping from one rooftop to another. A couple of scenes later, I saw tanks on the streets of LA and heard radio callers declaring that the world would end at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 2000. Strange Days reminds me of the best Black Mirror episodes -- both deeply disturbing and uncomfortably close to home. Director Kathryn Bigelow was influenced by the 1992 LA riots and incorporated those elements of racial tension and police violence into her work. The result is a movie that's sometimes difficult to watch but impossible to look away from. At the same time, Strange Days is grounded by emotion. Nero (Fiennes) spends a good portion of the movie reliving memories of his failed relationship with the singer Faith (played by actress-turned-rocker Juliette Lewis). Lying in bed while he plays back footage of happier days, he can trick himself into believing he's roller skating with Faith again -- until the disc stops spinning and he opens his eyes, back in the lonely present day. "This is not 'like TV only better,'" says Nero, as he introduces the VR Playback tech to one of his clients. "This is life." But Bassett's character, Mace, believes otherwise, at one point confronting Nero over his attachment to his "used emotions." "This is your life!" says Mace. "Right here! Right now! It's real time, you hear me? Real time, time to get real, not Playback!" As I watched Strange Days in 2025, I couldn't help thinking of the virtual reality devices that exist today. VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and Google's upcoming AR glasses are bringing us closer than ever to the Playback tech in the film. And the immersive spatial videos for the Apple Vision Pro can make you feel like you're really reliving a three-dimensional recorded memory. As I considered the similarities between our current tech and Strange Days' Playback discs, I wondered if the future wants to be haunted by the past. Despite being 30 years old, Strange Days' special effects hold up incredibly well. Where other 1995 sci-fi flicks like Hackers and Johnny Mnemonic experimented with early computer-generated imagery, Strange Days went for a more practical approach: Characters shift in and out of the Playback footage with a simple analog distortion effect, just like you'd find while watching home videos on VHS tapes. The point-of-view shots were carefully choreographed, and the resulting footage looks like you're viewing it through the recorder's eyes. Strange Days also features standout musical acts. Juliette Lewis, in character as Faith, belts out two PJ Harvey tracks in on-screen performances that recall the best of '90s grunge. Rapper Jeriko One (played by Glenn Plummer) delivers biting social commentary in his music video. And contemporary artists Aphex Twin, Deee-Lite and Skunk Anansie perform during the movie's bombastic final act, a New Year's Eve rave in downtown LA. (It was a real-life concert with 10,000 attendees.) Strange Days is both a thrilling action movie and a mind-bending exploration of technology and memory. I'm surprised it was a box-office flop in 1995, and I wish it had received the recognition it deserved then. Still, I'm glad this sci-fi masterpiece is available to stream today. Though Strange Days isn't the easiest title to remember, the movie itself is unforgettable.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Do It Yourself Augmented Reality In 9 Minutes
Augmented reality LU biscuit package in France that uses Hololink platform technology This special promotion for the LU Biscuit Company that I discovered on a LinkedIn post, caught my attention and captured my heart. It included 15-second video that showed a French student, newly arrived at college, who while unpacking her suitcase finds this box of LU cookies that were placed in her suitcase by her parents. Activated through augmented reality, the package transformed into a flower made of cookies that said 'to study in a strange country es a challenge! We believe in you!', with a transition to 'Mama & Papa' in the red center circle. It was a sweet simple idea that touched the heart strings, and is a best use case of augmented reality on packaging. The LU activation enables easy message customization by consumers, just by scanning the QR code on the pack. The campaign idea was considered so big, it justified 360° brand marketing support including social media, influencers, events in universities, articles, in-store materials and e-commerce banners. Influencer content and articles will be published about the promotion over the next several months, no doubt with more fun consumer customization examples. To better understand the technology, I contacted Niels Østergaard, president of the Danish company Halolink from Copenhagen that created the technology and developed the online platform that enables users to make augmented reality experiences quickly and relatively simply without the need for an app… simply by accessing the tool from a web browser. You start by dragging and dropping 3D images onto the background you choose and then determine the type of action you'd like the object to perform. Images can be overlayed on flat surfaces and real-world environments, or be seen 360° around the viewer. Hololink integrates 3D models, images, videos, text, and audio for multi-modal experiences. AR in marketing and packaging isn't new. It's been around since the early 2000's, but it's now incredibly easy for anyone inside a firm to experiment and apply it. Firms are no longer dependent on outside agencies to do the work in an involved, time-consuming process. For someone who knows how to use the tool, which requires minimal training, and who has an idea of what they want to create, augmented reality use cases can be generated in a matter of minutes. I would argue that AR technology in marketing and packaging has been under-utilized and there is much to recommend it. According to a 2022 study by the marketing communications agency Mindshare: AR use cases spring from creativity and imagination. It's great for brand storytelling and can be highly strategic. AR can also create great content for social media and even be the brand's big integrated marketing idea with 360° support. These are some of my favorite examples: Other AR use cases include paintings in museums that come to life and animate, treasure hunts in large retailers with clues that can activate prizes or experiences throughout the store and increase time spent in store, gamifying static environments, and bringing studies to life for students by, for example, transforming a 2-D picture of the human body in a textbook, into a 3D image that can be rotated to bring the subject matter to life. Once brands, organizations, and institutions get started brainstorming activations that can engage their audiences, the sky's the limit as to what they can quickly and affordably create.
