CCD Co-President Aldwin Ong Speaks On AI And Design Innovation At Marriott GDDC 2026

CCD was pleased to participate in the Marriott Global Design & Development Confluence 2026, held in Bengaluru, India. Bringing together visionary leaders across hospitality, architecture, and real estate, the prestigious event served as a platform to discuss emerging industry trends, dynamic ecosystems, and future-ready developments.

Representing CCD, Co-President Aldwin Ong joined a distinguished panel of industry peers from top global design firms for the session titled "THE DIGITAL WAVE: AI that Transforms Hospitality/Hotels." The discussion explored how technology and innovative frameworks are actively reshaping the landscape of hospitality design.

During the panel, Aldwin referenced the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation character Data to illustrate how the concept of artificial intelligence has evolved over the past three decades. He highlighted Data’s ongoing quest to grasp artistic creation, underscoring the distinctly human qualities behind genuine creativity.

Aldwin noted that while AI effectively creates through logic, data synthesis, and technical execution—delivering the "look"—it is human intuition, lived experiences, and emotion that bring the "feel," soul, and creative courage to design. Summarizing the synergy between technology and human ingenuity, he remarked: "AI answers the question 'Why,' but human creativity drives the question 'Why Not.'"

Over the two-day confluence, industry leaders engaged in forward-looking dialogues on sustainable solutions and smarter guest experiences. As hospitality design continues to evolve, CCD remains dedicated to combining technological innovation with authentic human touch, collaborating with global partners like Marriott International and Hotelier India to shape the next generation of luxury spaces.