Tools & Platforms
Digital twin technology with AI to boost efficiency and reliability in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Cambridge Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES), the University of Cambridge’s first overseas research centre, together with the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research (A*STAR I2R) has developed a digital twin platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time plant data to enhance fault detection, system monitoring, and predictive maintenance in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- The technology will be commercialised through Chemical Data Intelligence, a CARES spin-off, and will be made available to the Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS) Consortium.
SINGAPORE, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pharmaceutical manufacturing demands consistency, high precision, and continuous improvement to ensure the safety and quality of medicines. The new platform automates the development of digital twins, which are virtual replicas of production lines, to optimise plant operations, detect anomalies early, and support data-driven decision-making. The technology has shown key advantages of an ontology-based digital twin to improve system understanding, refine predictions, and supports the addition of flexible, new workflow agents for future digital development and manufacturing.
CARES led the development of the digital twin’s ontology and physical modelling, while A*STAR I2R developed an AI agent for anomaly detection. This AI agent combines physical models, which utilises the knowledge from the ontology, with the data-driven models trained on sensory data such as temperature, flow rates, and pressure, to detect issues like mismatched flow rates or abnormal tank levels before they escalate.
The system was demonstrated on a real-time manufacturing testbed provided by another CARES spin-off, Accelerated Materials. Hosted on Microsoft Azure cloud, the platform enables researchers and engineers to monitor plant performance in real-time, simulate production scenarios, and test responses to potential faults.
Prof Alexei Lapkin, lead Principal Investigator on the project, reflects on future developments, “the project has multiple outputs; one is the technology for rapid development of digital twins based on the ontology of first principles models. This technology is now being turned into a commercial product by another CARES spin-off, Chemical Data Intelligence, to make it available to the pharmaceutical companies under the Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS) Consortium”
Dr Lianlian Jiang, Co-Lead Principal Investigator of the project, Unit Lead of Digital & Sustainable Manufacturing at A*STAR I2R, said: “The AI agent in this ontology-based digital twin can be extended beyond anomaly detection to support quality monitoring, production scheduling, and resource planning. By embedding domain knowledge into the system, the technology helps capture and transfer critical expertise while complementing staff expertise. We are glad to work with CARES and industry partners to further scale this technology to meet the needs of more complex manufacturing environments.”
Watch a video explaining the technology of the project: https://youtu.be/A2VZNdIiXEs
The project, From Digital Twins to Real Time AI-Supported Plant Operations, is supported by A*STAR under its Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS) (Award no: M23B3a0015). The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s lead public sector research and development (R&D) agency.
About CARES
The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education (CARES) was established in 2013 as the University of Cambridge’s first overseas research centre. Cambridge CARES is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as part of CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise). We have a number of research collaborations between the University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, industrial partners, and other universities in Japan, France, Norway, and Switzerland.
NRF funds several CARES decarbonisation programmes in chemical technologies, the manufacturing of molecules and materials, and hydrogen and ammonia combustion under CREATE. Other key programmes include exploring human cognitive flexibility across the lifespan and the effects of the built environment on human health. CARES is also a research partner in the Pharmaceutical Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS), a public-private consortium that aims to develop full process automation in a laboratory to support R&D and manufacturing.
www.cares.cam.ac.uk LinkedIn: Cambridge CARES
Tools & Platforms
Globevisa CEO Unveils its AI Strategy, Transforming Traditional Services Into a Tech-Driven Powerhouse
— In a decisive move set to redefine the future of service industries, Globevisa Group CEO and co-founder Henry Fan has launched a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) transformation strategy that embeds AI at the core of the company’s operations. This bold initiative is not only improving efficiency and customer service but also positioning Globevisa as a global innovator in tech-driven business leadership.
Rather than relegating AI to a standalone IT function, Henry established an in-house AI Empowerment Center—a “special forces” unit that reports directly to him. This reflects his belief that AI is a business-wide opportunity, not a departmental add-on. As the architect of this transformation, Henry serves as strategist, change agent, and internal evangelist, overseeing a company-wide shift in how AI is deployed, adopted, and embraced.
The Strategist: Defining a Clear Vision for AI
Henry’s leadership begins with a clear vision for an “AI-driven Globevisa,” which he positions as the company’s North Star. This vision guides every decision, from budget allocation to the selection of core technologies. Henry ensures that AI efforts are tightly aligned with Globevisa’s business objectives, such as revenue growth, operational efficiency, and brand enhancement.
His approach is pragmatic and phased, focusing on high-value pilot projects before scaling up. He champions a “showcase to full coverage” strategy, quickly demonstrating tangible results in areas like marketing, customer service, and human resources. By tying AI initiatives directly to measurable business outcomes, such as reducing document processing times, increasing content production efficiency, or improving sales conversion rates, Henry ensures that Globevisa’s AI efforts are not just theoretical but practical and impactful.
Tackling Operational Inefficiencies with AI
Henry’s journey into AI began with a recognition of inefficiencies in the company’s internal processes, which were bogged down by repetitive, manual tasks. He saw AI not as a buzzword but as a tool to address these core operational challenges.
1.Document Processing
Globevisa’s success involves processing countless client documents, such as bank statements and passports, a task prone to human error and delays. To combat this, Henry spearheaded the development of an AI document extraction and auditing tool. This technology scans documents, extracts key information, and cross-checks it against system requirements, significantly reducing manual review time and errors. The result is faster, more accurate processing, enabling the team to handle a higher volume of clients.
2.Customer Service
Globevisa’s customer service team was overwhelmed by repetitive inquiries, leaving little time for complex, high-value interactions. Henry’s team introduced a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot capable of handling up to 80% of standard queries. This freed human staff to focus on nuanced, emotional, and complex client concerns, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
3.Marketing Content Creation
The process of generating marketing content was slow and often lacked variety. Henry addressed this by deploying an “AI Content Factory” that generates blog posts, social media updates, and ad copy from simple keywords. This tool dramatically increased content production efficiency while reducing costs, ensuring Globevisa remains competitive in its digital marketing efforts.
The Breaker of Barriers: Overcoming Organizational Challenges
While implementing AI solutions, Henry quickly realized that the biggest obstacles were not technological but organizational and cultural. Resistance to change, data silos, and fears of job displacement were among the challenges he faced.
1.Breaking Data Silos
With 110,000 successful cases in hand, Globevisa sits on a treasury of data. However, many departments at Globevisa operated in isolation, hoarding data and refusing to share it. For instance, the AI team often needed years of sales data to train models, but obtaining access required navigating internal politics. Henry personally stepped in as a “Breaker of Barriers,” reframing data-sharing as an investment in the company’s future rather than a threat. He emphasized that AI would provide departments with sharper tools to achieve their goals, fostering a spirit of collaboration.
2.Addressing Job Displacement Fears
Employees, particularly senior staff such as copywriters, were initially hostile toward AI, viewing it as a potential replacement for their roles. Henry tackled this by redefining their positions and elevating their value. He assured employees that AI would handle 80% of mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on the remaining 20% of creative, high-value work. Copywriters, for example, were rebranded as “AI Creative Strategists” and “Final Quality Controllers,” responsible for refining and overseeing AI-generated drafts. This reframing not only eased fears but also inspired employees to embrace AI as a tool for professional growth.
3.Adjusting KPIs to Reward Adoption
In traditional service industries, departments often cling to outdated KPIs, which can hinder the adoption of new technologies. Henry addressed this head-on by personally revising performance metrics for teams involved in AI pilots. For example, customer service teams previously measured on “calls handled per hour” were now evaluated on metrics like “complex problem-solving rates” and “customer satisfaction scores.” This ensured that employees were rewarded for adopting new behaviors, not for sticking to inefficient practices.
The Chief Evangelist: Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Henry understands that technology alone cannot drive change; it requires a cultural shift. As Globevisa’s “Chief Evangelist,” he regularly communicates the importance of AI initiatives through all-hands meetings, internal newsletters, and personal demonstrations. By openly using AI tools, such as leveraging AI for meeting summaries, he leads by example, fostering a company-wide culture of innovation.
His leadership style is characterized by inclusivity and transparency. Instead of imposing top-down mandates, he actively involves employees in the transformation process, ensuring that AI is seen not as a threat but as an enabler. This human-centric approach has been instrumental in building trust and enthusiasm for AI across the organization.
A Model for the Future of Services
Henry’s approach provides a replicable roadmap for other service-based companies navigating digital transformation. His model centers on measurable value, cultural readiness, and human-AI collaboration, proving that even traditional industries can lead in a tech-first economy.
About Globevisa
Globevisa Group is a global leader in immigration and relocation services, with over 110,000 successful cases worldwide. Committed to service excellence and innovation, the company helps individuals and families navigate complex immigration processes with confidence.
Contact Info:
Name: Lena Huang
Email: Send Email
Organization: GLOBEVISA GROUP (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Website: https://www.globevisa.com/
Release ID: 89168612
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A high school in suburban Chicago was awarded a grant to implement AI-powered gun detection technology.
Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 was one of 50 recipients selected nationwide for the Omnilert Secure Schools Grant Program, the school said in a recent announcement.
The district was awarded a three-year license for Omnilert Gun Detect, an “advanced AI-powered gun detection technology” — at no cost.
The AI system identifies firearms “in real-time through existing security camera infrastructure,” the announcement said.
Once a potential threat is identified, the AI system activates a rapid response process by alerting school officials and law enforcement, ultimately ensuring that threats can be addressed “as quickly and effectively as possible,” the announcement said.
The implementation of the AI system aligns with District 229’s security strategy, that includes a combination of physical safety measures, emergency preparedness and mental health resources, the announcement said.
The school said staff training and safety drills will be done to ensure the technology is used effectively and responsibly.
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