When digital twins evolve over time, so does the associated data. It's essential that data collected is consistent and comparable at different life cycle stages.

As technology continues to advance, the connection between data, decisions and outcomes is expected to remain the same. The information itself could prove to be more valuable and have a longer lifespan than the enabling technology. As such, digital twins must remain impartial to specific technical solutions, platforms and software. This adaptability will mean that digital twins remain accurate and relevant in order to provide insights to their physical counterparts over time.

Conversely the design and development of digital twins must consider the advancement in technology and potential emerging technologies in order to evolve and have lasting value. Particularly in an era where Artificial Intelligence is quickly gaining traction and emerging as a powerful technology.

The evolution and adaptability of digital twins will play a pivotal role in providing a return on investment of digital twin, and scaling up of digital twins to include greater insights or across organisations in the form of connected digital twins.

Mechanisms - how to embed Evolution

Societal and community engagement

Societal and community engagement in the context of digital twins is crucial for its adaptability and alignment with social and cultural changes. Public involvement can help to deliver technology that is user-friendly, trustworthy, and aligns with societal values and expectations. It supports in identifying and rectifying any unintended biases in the technology, allowing it to better mirror and adapt to societal changes.

Strong societal engagement during the development phase (such as using living labs to evaluate early prototypes with public and professional users) helps to make sure that these technologies are not only advanced but also ethical, transparent, and user-centric [5]. This way, digital twins can evolve in a manner that is responsive to societal and cultural shifts, thereby maintaining their relevance and effectiveness over time.

Planned Information Management Framework

The Information Management Framework (IMF) is a planned central mechanism in the digital twin field.

The IMF is formed of two technical components:

Firstly, a common language - an IMF ontology - supported by a Reference Data Library (RDL) and a Foundation Data Model (FDM). The RDL forms the words of this language, enabling different organizations and sectors to describe things consistently. The FDM provides the structure and meaning of data, serving as the grammar of the language [5].

Secondly, an Integration Architecture is required to support the secure, resilient sharing of data between applications and organizations [5]. This architecture is imagined as a distributed database, where component databases are linked by a messaging system. This system uses an FDM and an RDL, which all the connected systems translate into and out of.

As explained in the pathway towards an Information Management Framework [6], the IMF's development, with the Foundation Data Model (FDM) as a vital component, is a complex yet crucial task. It involves integrating existing resources and extending and adapting to changes in the digital twin field, aligning with the Gemini Principle 9: Evolution.

Developing the IMF leverages existing ontologies and semantic standards from fields like Building Information Modelling (BIM), urban modelling, and digital rights management. These provide a rich vocabulary of concepts, properties, and relationships. However, due to potential inconsistencies, developing an FDM is critical. The FDM adapts these resources for consistency, while minimizing modifications to the original sources.

As the digital twin ecosystem evolves, it will seek contributions to expand the FDM and the Reference Data Library (RDL), with procedures established for checking, approving, and accepting these contributions.

Skills and Competencies for Evolution

In the evolving field of digital twins, adaptability and transformational leadership skills hold significant value. These skill sets are crucial for various roles, enabling individuals to navigate changes and innovate continuously.

To support a strong skill set within the team, competency scorecards presented in the Skills & Competencies Framework [4] are a valuable tool. These scorecards will help identify skill and competency gaps, build cross-functional teams, and develop a resource plan and pipeline of skills needed over a specific time frame.

In the context of the Gemini Principle of Evolution, adaptability skills, such as embracing innovation, personal resilience, and scenario planning, are essential for roles including Cyber-Security Specialists, Data Architects, Data Producers, Data Regulators, and Policy Makers [4]. These skills allow individuals to adopt a learning mindset, continually innovate, and demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks.

On the other hand, transformational leadership skills play a critical role in driving cultural change and championing the value of data [4]. These skills are crucial for Data Stewards, Data Leaders, Process Modellers, Industry Leaders, and Sector Regulators. Transformational leaders appreciate and champion the value of data and digital assets. They drive cultural change by empowering themselves and others to change their mindset and approach.

Ethical considerations

The report on Digital Twins, Ethics and the Gemini Principles [3] highlights that as digital twins evolve, their ethical applications remain crucial. The need for robust data ethics is increasingly evident, particularly in safeguarding privacy. Current regulations like GDPR may fall short, highlighting the need for legislation that is both effective and adaptable to shifting ethical perspectives and technological advancements.

One emerging discussion in digital twin data usage is the potential for more inclusive decision-making by gathering data on equality, diversity, and inclusion. A reliance on historical data alone can perpetuate past biases and fail to mirror societal changes, resulting in outdated models. It is thus crucial to establish a clear baseline for assessing the value and impact of digital twins, particularly in a federated system with constant data exchange.

Examples

Case studies

The case studies outlined below demonstrates the practical applicability of digital twins in the context of the Evolution Gemini Principle. They showcase the tangible benefits and advancements that have been achieved through the implementation of digital twin technology, highlighting its adaptable role over time as technology advances and societal needs change.

• Case Study: Gemini Principles - Smart Mobility Living Lab, London | Centre for Digital Built Britain completed its five-year mission and closed its doors at the end of September 2022 (cam.ac.uk). This case study demonstrates the use of a digital twin for the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) to virtually test transport solutions, reflecting the evolution of transport systems and their increasing complexity.

• Case Study: Gemini Principles - Colouring London | Centre for Digital Built Britain completed its five-year mission and closed its doors at the end of September 2022 (cam.ac.uk). This project applies the Gemini principles in creating a tool that combines volunteer contributions with automated processes to improve access to high-quality building attribute data, showcasing an evolving platform for the public good.

Please see the DT Hub case study register (Case Studies - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) for further evidence of successful outcomes with digital twins.

References

[1] The Gemini Principles. Available at: https://digitaltwinhub.co.uk/files/file/12-gemini-principles/. Accessed March 12, 2024.

[2] Digital Twins for the Built Environment. Available at: Foundation Guide: Digital Twins for the Built Environment - Publications - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk). Accessed March 12, 2024.

[3] Digital Twins, Ethics and the Gemini Principles. Available at: Digital_Twins_Ethics_and_the_Gemini_Principles.pdf (utwente.nl) Accessed March 12, 2024.

[4] Skills and Competency Framework. Available at: Skills & Competency Framework - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 12, 2024.

[5] Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Report. Available at: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6204e6ebe90e077f7392d446/cyber-physical-infrastructure-vision.pdf Accessed March 12, 2024.

[6] The pathway towards an Information Management Framework - A ‘Commons’ for Digital Built Britain. Available at: The pathway towards an Information Management Framework - A ‘Commons’ for Digital Built Britain (cam.ac.uk) Accessed March 12, 2024.

[7] Digital Twin Toolkit. Available at Digital Twin Toolkit - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 13, 2024.

[8] Digital Twin Navigator. Available at Digital Twin Navigator - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk). Accessed March 13, 2024.

Further Reading

• The Gemini Principles

• Our Vision for the built environment

• Data for the Public Good

• Flourishing systems

• Skills and Competency framework

• Pathway towards and IMF

• Digital Twins, Ethics and the Gemini Principles

• Digital Twin Navigator

• The Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Vision

• Our Shared Understanding

• Trust, Purpose, Value and Connected Digital Twins

• Gemini Papers: What are connected digital twins?

• Gemini Papers: Why connected digital twins?

• Gemini Papers: How to enable an ecosystem of connected digital twins?