In our third interview for the Women in BIM AI Ambassadors series, Lilian Ho explores how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the future of cities, infrastructure and digital leadership.
An internationally recognised expert in digital transformation, AI strategy and information management, Lilian is Programme Director of the world’s first MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Architecture and Construction at ZIGURAT Institute of Technology.
In this interview, Lilian discusses the relationship between AI, BIM and digital strategy, the importance of trusted information and governance, and why human centred leadership will remain essential as AI becomes increasingly embedded in planning, decision making and urban transformation.
At a city scale, AI is increasingly being positioned as a core enabler of “smart” infrastructure and planning. What does truly AI driven urban design look like when it is implemented responsibly and at scale?
I actually think we need to move beyond the idea of a “smart city” because the technology isn’t the objective, better outcomes for people are. The most successful projects I have seen use AI to help planners explore different scenarios, predict risks and make better decisions using trusted information from BIM, digital twins and connected data. That is very different from handing decisions over to AI. At city scale, responsible implementation is about governance, transparency and knowing when human judgement should override an algorithm. If we get that balance right, AI becomes an enabler of more resilient, sustainable and liveable cities rather than just another technology layer.
You operate at the intersection of BIM, digital strategy and AI. How do you see the relationship between these disciplines evolving as AI becomes more embedded in infrastructure planning and national-level development programmes?
I have never seen BIM, digital strategy and AI as separate conversations. BIM gives us structured information, digital strategy provides direction and AI helps us extract value from both. The mistake many organisations make is jumping straight to AI before they have reliable information foundations. Across the programmes and professionals I have worked with internationally, the organisations seeing real value aren’t necessarily using the most advanced AI but they are the ones with mature information management and clear digital leadership. As AI becomes more embedded, I think success will depend far more on data quality and governance than on whichever AI model happens to be the latest.
One of the major tensions in AI adoption is between automation and human oversight. In complex environments like cities, how do we ensure that AI supports decision-making without displacing critical human judgement and accountability?
I don’t see this as a choice between humans and AI. The real question is how we design systems where each does what it does best. AI is excellent at processing enormous amounts of information, identifying patterns and testing scenarios far more quickly than we can. But cities are shaped by political priorities, ethics and community needs and things that can’t be reduced to data alone. That’s why I am a strong advocate for human-centred AI, where professionals should remain accountable for decisions and AI provides evidence to support them. Technology should strengthen professional judgement, not replace it.
Smart city narratives often promise efficiency, optimisation and sustainability. Where do you see the biggest gap between this vision and the reality of implementation across large-scale public and private sector projects today?
If I am honest, I don’t think the biggest challenge is AI at all. It is the fundamentals. Too many organisations still have fragmented data, inconsistent standards and disconnected teams, yet they are expecting AI to solve those problems. It won’t. AI simply exposes weaknesses that already exist. Another gap is that we often treat AI as an IT initiative instead of an organisational transformation. The technology is moving incredibly quickly but governance, leadership and workforce capability aren’t always keeping pace. That is where I think the real work needs to happen.
As AI systems begin to influence infrastructure planning, resource allocation and long-term urban resilience, what governance structures or principles are essential to ensure long term societal value is not overridden by short-term optimisation?
Governance should not be an afterthought, it has to be designed into AI from the beginning. Decisions that shape cities affect communities for decades, so transparency, accountability and ethical oversight are essential. I also think governance needs to be multidisciplinary. AI shouldn’t sit solely with technology teams; planners, engineers, policymakers and communities all need a voice in how these systems are developed and used. One thing we shouldn’t lose sight of is that just because AI can optimise something doesn’t necessarily mean it should. I believe long term public value has to remain the benchmark.
Looking ahead, what capabilities do city leaders, planners and digital professionals most urgently need to develop in order to lead AI-enabled urban transformation rather than simply react to it?
The biggest shift isn’t learning how to use AI tools, it’s learning how to lead in an AI-enabled world. Through leading the AI MSc programme and working with professionals globally, I have found that the people who succeed aren’t necessarily those with the deepest technical expertise. They are the ones who ask better questions, think across systems, understand information management and aren’t afraid to challenge AI outputs. Just as importantly, they understand people. Technology shouldn’t be the starting point but citizens should. City leaders need to understand how people live, work and interact with their environment and what truly improves quality of life. AI can reveal patterns, test scenarios and support better decisions but it can’t define what makes a city inclusive, resilient or liveable. That remains a human responsibility. Ultimately, successful AI enabled cities won’t be measured by how advanced their technology is, but by how well it serves the people who call them home.
Hear more from Lilian at the Women in BIM Conference London on Thursday 15 October. Register today to join Lilian’s AI in Action Workshop.
