Artificial Intelligence (AI) today is far more than lines of code—it’s a field that constantly surprises even the experts. One of AI’s strongest traits is its ability to learn without explicit programming. Instead of being given fixed rules, deep learning models absorb patterns from mountains of data, allowing them to recognise objects, predict outcomes, and understand behaviours in ways that mimic human intuition.
Benny Ng, managing director of Glowbest Sdn Bhd, as well as SHAREDA’s deputy president, explains that technology has always played a vital role in property development. “The tools and systems we use to measure, build, work, live, and manage infrastructure evolve from time to time,” Ng says. “When AI-enabled smart building devices became available, they helped improve security, enhance management, detect leaks or fires, and much more.” He believes convenience is the long-term game-changer: “Humans are intelligent beings who are addicted to convenience. Anything that makes life easier is truly priceless.”
A progressive innovator, Ng brought Sabah’s first AI-capable smart building to life through Lido Plaza 2, earning him the First Smart Building With AI Capability In Sabah recognition at the SHAREDA Excellence Awards 2025.
“I suppose you could call it a childhood dream. The sci-fi fascination started as early as I can remember, from the first time I watched The Jetsons on TV. During my college and university years, there were already attempts around the world to combine new technology and automation into homes. However, it was simply too expensive for the general public back then.
“The need for smart buildings with AI capabilities has never been absent globally. Countries outside Malaysia have been developing such buildings for decades. The biggest challenge lies in the cost-effectiveness of integrating this technology. Newer, better devices are emerging every month, and they are becoming noticeably cheaper over time. For instance, 25 years ago, smart building integration could easily cost around RM2 million, with cables linking smart devices through a kilobyte internet connection, allowing control only through software or a centralised panel. Today, you can achieve the same capabilities for as little as RM5,000 for a two-storey house, wirelessly, with high-speed internet.
“Never stop learning. We learn every day, so we should surround ourselves with people who help us grow. Today, it’s equally important to surround ourselves with both people and AI.”
“Such property products are still new in Sabah. It takes time to introduce them to the market but, surprisingly, the experience has been pleasant—it was definitely not an uphill effort. Smart cities can emerge either through clusters of interconnected smart buildings, gradually forming a networked ecosystem, or through large-scale, master-planned smart cities, designed from the ground up to attract investors and catalyse collective urban growth.
“As Sabah’s Best Innovative Commercial Hub, we’re shaping spaces that merge technology, sustainability, and lifestyle into one seamless experience. We envision Glowbest developments becoming living hubs where smart systems, AI Integration, and green design come together to elevate how people live, work, and connect.
“Our direction is clear: to push boundaries in design innovation and sustainability, and to continuously raise the benchmark for what commercial and mixed-use spaces can be. The upcoming phases of our development will focus on expanding connectivity, integrating renewable energy systems, and introducing more lifestyle-driven experiences that support both businesses and communities.
“Never stop learning. We learn every day, so we should surround ourselves with people who help us grow. Today, it’s equally important to surround ourselves with both people and AI.”
Photography: Jemmie Chew, and Hailey Tan/COOP Studio
Production assistant: Yiyee Tan/COOP Studio
Backdrop: Within TheOccasions
