Ma Tianyou, Xu Kan, and Zhang Jing Amber spearheaded the AI‑Empowered Digital Twin for Smart Building Management, a three‑year journey that reimagined how buildings can save energy while keeping people comfortable. Tested across three sites, their system achieved 15–20% energy savings without replacing equipment—proving that innovation can work with what already exists. Tianyou designed intuitive visualizations so operators could trust and engage with the system. Kan built standardized data formats and edge computing to break down barriers and ensure reliability. Amber optimized real‑time sensor integration, overcoming glitches to create a seamless experience. Together, they tackled challenges of stable data flow and trustworthy AI with persistence and collaboration. With strong support from PolyU professors and departments, they transformed research into practice. Their work demonstrates how AI can make building management smarter, sustainable, and truly impactful—bridging technology with real‑world change.
