Will AI unlock the potential of smart buildings?
Client: CMS
Date: 2018 – 2019
Services: Research & engagement.
We worked on behalf of law firm CMS to deliver a research report exploring the role that Artificial Intelligence will play in smart buildings. As part of the research we hosted a roundtable conversation of leading industry figures.
The physical and digital worlds are becoming ever more deeply intertwined in all facets of life. The built environment is no exception.
The increasing prevalence of internet of things (IoT) devices and other forms of smart technology means that buildings can now be equipped with the infrastructure to be more responsive, adaptable and efficient than ever before. Used effectively, smart technology can improve the sustainability of a building, complement its wellbeing credentials, improve productivity and increase efficiency. But how much of this potential is being realised, or planned in for future realisation?
Despite smart technology becoming increasingly available, its adoption in commercial buildings is far from ubiquitous. Many developers, landlords and occupiers are yet to determine how best to plan for, implement and utilise the range of technology solutions now available. Whilst buildings can now collect huge amounts of data on their operational performance and the behaviours of their users, it does not seem that this information is being widely analysed, shared or used to generate demonstrable value.
Up until recently, the inertia of large swathes of the industry on this front could be put down to the difficulty of understanding and learning from increasingly large, complex and interconnected datasets. However, new AI solutions offer enhanced capacity to crunch data and translate it into meaningful action. By identifying patterns and preferences, AI can then deploy this knowledge during future interactions between a building and its owner, manager, occupier and end user.
As part of a CMS organised roundtable discussion, we brought together leading figures from a cross-section of the real estate industry to debate whether AI is the game changer the real estate sector has been waiting for. Can AI unlock the potential of smart buildings?
