i-City reflects I-Berhad’s strategic transition towards an AI-enabled, integrated urban ecosystem platform, anchored by its AI-led urban development approach
I-Berhad has started FY2026 on a resilient footing as the group continues advancing its transformation into an AI-enabled integrated urban ecosystem platform. For the first quarter ended 31 March 2026, the group posted revenue of approximately RM44.0 million and profit before tax (PBT) of RM12.7 million, improving from RM12.4 million recorded in the corresponding quarter last year.
The performance reflects the group’s ongoing shift towards higher-quality earnings, supported by margin optimisation, stronger recurring income streams and the integration of intelligent systems across its ecosystem. Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said the future of property is no longer defined purely by physical space, but by how environments function as platforms for services, data and intelligent systems.
According to the group, i-City is evolving from a digital city into a living AI ecosystem where intelligence is embedded into everyday environments. The transformation is anchored on two core platforms, namely AI World Development and recurring income assets. AI World Development integrates the AI World Experience Centre (AIWEC) and AI Living concepts, bringing robotics and intelligent systems into real-world urban environments, while recurring income assets provide earnings stability and long-term capital optimisation opportunities.
Despite transitional revenue following the successful completion and handover of BeCentral Residences, the property development segment recorded stronger profitability. Revenue for the segment moderated to RM10.5 million, but PBT rose 21% to RM5.6 million, driven by higher-margin developments such as 8 Premier and Twenty8, as well as cost optimisation initiatives and variation order gains. The group noted that it is prioritising margin-accretive growth instead of purely volume-driven expansion, backed by a remaining gross development value (GDV) pipeline of approximately RM5 billion.
The property investment segment continued to anchor earnings stability with PBT of RM6.7 million. Performance was supported by 95% occupancy at Mercu Maybank Corporate Tower, full occupancy at the group’s data centre assets and approximately 97% occupancy at Central i-City Mall. Management said the growing maturity of these recurring income assets could potentially support future value unlocking and capital recycling initiatives.
AI Living @ i-City introduces AI-enabled features aimed at enhancing comfort, wellness and convenience for families, seniors and independent urban residents
The group is also pushing ahead with AI Living, which reimagines residential developments as AI-native environments designed to support domestic robotics and intelligent services. Through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, I-Berhad aims to lower adoption barriers while addressing long-term structural trends such as ageing populations, labour shortages and increasing automation in daily life.
Management believes the future value of property will increasingly depend on how developments function as integrated ecosystems rather than simply location alone. In line with this shift, i-City integrates residential, commercial, hospitality and digital infrastructure into a connected environment designed to support how people live, work and interact.
AI World Experience Centre at i-City provides a live platform to showcase emerging AI and robotics applications, aligned with I-Berhad’s broader AI-led urban ecosystem strategy
Meanwhile, the AI World Experience Centre continues to serve as a live environment for AI deployment, testing and visitor engagement. Beyond tourism contributions, the centre also generates real-time behavioural and interaction data that could help refine future AI applications within the broader i-City ecosystem.
Looking ahead, I-Berhad’s growing recurring income base, strong occupancy rates and expanding AI ecosystem strategy could place the group in a favourable position as demand for intelligent urban infrastructure continues to rise. With approximately RM5 billion in remaining GDV and ongoing initiatives under AI World and AI Living, the group appears to be positioning i-City beyond a conventional township into a long-term AI-driven urban platform designed to capture future trends in automation, smart living and digital infrastructure.
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