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EY partner Gilbert Guillaumier discusses the role of AI and technology in urban planning and resource management.
During the EY Future Realised conference last year, we explored the potential of shared infrastructure ideas in Malta and highlighted the necessity for innovative approaches to urban planning and resource management.
Well-functioning infrastructure is the backbone of society, supporting how people work and live. However, the infrastructure industry faces unprecedented pressures in the coming decades, including climate change, urban expansion, economic uncertainty, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions.
These challenges demand innovative solutions and significant investment. An estimated US$139 trillion in sustainable infrastructure investment is required globally to move towards net zero by 2050, while US$94 trillion must be invested by 2040 to close existing gaps and align with future economic changes.
Malta’s infrastructure has evolved over the years, yet it faces numerous challenges, including congestion, ageing facilities and limited resources. The existing built infrastructure, while functional, often struggles to meet the demands of a growing population and increasing economic activity. The integration of shared infrastructure concepts is crucial for addressing these challenges, allowing for more efficient use of resources and better urban planning.
Meeting these challenges head-on requires a new approach to delivering projects faster, more cost-effectively and with assets that operate more sustainably to support future needs.
The growth of AI offers a transformative pathway to address this. Its transformative power has the potential to provide solutions and be a true enabler of change by breaking down barriers between stakeholders, reducing costs and expediting delivery.
While the sector has started to adopt AI in pockets, it must embrace AI industry wide to drive urgently needed transformation. In a bid to provide direction to the industry, an EY team and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) have collaborated on a new report that takes a deep dive into the opportunities that AI brings to the sector.
The report, ‘How Artificial Intelligence Can Unlock a New Future for Infrastructure’, explores key trends and challenges to AI adoption and how AI-enabled technologies can optimise planning, design, construction and asset management across an asset’s lifecycle. By taking an innovative stance, the sector can truly transform how it delivers and operates infrastructure.
Infrastructure industry faces unprecedented pressures
AI technologies can process vast datasets, uncover hidden patterns, predict potential issues and optimise resources across interconnected project phases. By breaking down barriers and bridging gaps across stakeholder groups and project phases, AI enables collaboration across the life cycle, facilitating better decision-making, outcomes and more sustainable infrastructure.
As part of our research, we have identified three business models that embody the opportunities that AI brings to create whole-of-industry responses:
For the successful integration of these models, industry professionals need to adapt their mindset, skillset and toolset:
In Malta, adopting AI in infrastructure projects could lead to more efficient construction practices, ultimately resulting in better-quality buildings and public spaces.
Technology can also help us address some of our local challenges. For example, smart infrastructure, powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), enables real-time monitoring and management of resources. Traffic management systems equipped with sensors and AI algorithms can optimise traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance road safety.
Data analytics plays a crucial role in this transformation, allowing us to enhance the functionality of our infrastructure and ensuring it meets the needs of its citizens effectively.
Effective private and public sector engagement is essential for fostering collaboration in infrastructure development. By bringing together government entities, private companies and community stakeholders, Malta can create a more inclusive approach to infrastructure planning and execution. Technology can facilitate this collaboration by providing platforms for communication, data sharing and project management.
The infrastructure industry stands at a critical juncture. By embracing AI and fostering collaboration across the entire ecosystem, it can unlock AI’s full potential to address the immense challenges it faces.
It is time to usher in a new era of innovation and efficiency in infrastructure development and management, ensuring well-functioning infrastructure continues to be the backbone of society, supporting how people work and live in an increasingly complex world.
Our upcoming EY Future Realized event will be held on October 22 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. We look forward to exploring innovative ideas impacting our infrastructure at the conference.
Register here for EY's Future Realised Event 2025: Malta Future Realised 2025 | EY - Global
Over the years, Future Realised has become Malta’s flagship forum for setting direction at a time when clarity, competitiveness, and execution matter most.
