By David de Santiago, Group AI & Digital Services Director, OCS UK.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming facilities management (FM), driving the industry into a new era of smarter, more efficient, and sustainable built environments.
With innovations like multi-agent AI system and digital twinning, FM is no longer solely just about managing physical spaces; today, FM is a discipline where buildings are seen as ecosystems of data. This shift can be described as the ‘buildings-as-code’ revolution.
Understanding AI’s Role In Facilities Management
AI’s application to FM is not solely about deploying larger language models or scaling up data. It’s about creating interconnected systems where AI collaborates with other technologies to solve complex problems. This rise of multi-agent AI systems for example, where large language models work in tandem with specialised, task-specific AI agents, exemplifies this shift.
These systems allow FM providers to integrate operations that were traditionally siloed. For example, predictive maintenance systems can share insights with energy management agents to reduce downtime and improve efficiency rates, whilst AI can be leveraged to adjust environmental controls – like lighting and room temperatures – based on real-time data from current occupants.
Imagine a world where AI-powered facility success managers can act as digital co-ordinators, analysing vast volumes of data to tailor building operations to specific needs. From optimising energy usage to improving air quality, this new role has the potential to redefine what it means to manage a building.
‘Buildings-As-Code’: The Programmable Future
At the heart of this transformation lies digital twin technology. By creating dynamic and virtual 3D replicas of buildings and infrastructure, the technology makes it possible to simulate, predict, and optimise building operations with laser-sharp precision. These models encapsulate the concept of ‘buildings-as-code’, turning once static infrastructure into adaptable systems that are driven by data.
When you pair this technology with AI, the possibilities are extraordinary! Facilities managers will be able to predict maintenance needs down to the hour, simulate the effects and impact of proposed changes, and even optimise energy usage across entire sites. For example, hospitals and healthcare facilities will be able to schedule maintenance on critical systems pre-emptively, avoiding disruptions during peak usage times. Digital twin technology does not just enhance efficiency, through its fully programmable environments, the technology is redefining the future of FM.
However, what makes AI so transformative for FM is its ability to interact with other cutting-edge technologies. From Satellite imagery, IoT sensors or near-infrared imaging to blockchain and augmented reality (AR), we are seeing a convergence of technologies.
When combined with the power of AI, High-resolution satellite imagery, for example, can detect heat and identify any potential structural vulnerabilities across large-scale infrastructure projects. IoT sensors can also provide real-time insights into air quality and energy usage, feeding data into AI systems to optimise performance. This convergence of technologies is transforming FM providers into strategic partners of a building’s lifecycle, ones that offer services and solutions that go far beyond traditional maintenance.
Looking ahead, buildings will become intelligent environments that learn, adapt and respond to their occupants’ needs. FM providers must have the ability to transition from maintaining spaces to programming the built environments of tomorrow. The idea of ‘buildings-as-code’ is not just about a technological shift, it’s an entirely new way of thinking about the built environment.
If FM providers continue to embrace AI and other innovative technologies, they can lead this transformation, turning data into action and buildings into dynamic, intelligent digital systems. FM providers have a clear challenge; embrace the revolution or risk being left behind. Those that seize this opportunity will redefine what is possible, creating not just smart buildings but a smarter future.
