5 big questions real estate is asking in 2024

AI, and the future it has come to represent, has taken the world by storm. It’s creating a job boom for related skills. Property industries such as data centres have expanded on the back of growth expectations.

But as the initial excitement wears off, organizations are grappling with how to fully harness the technology to fuel their future goals.

There’s no lack of conviction from investors, developers, and occupiers, who agree it’s among the top three game-changing technologies for real estate in coming years, not least for decarbonizing real estate.

“It’s becoming the norm to use AI to make light work of complex data, whether financial, contractual, or the vast datasets generated by smart buildings,” says Yao Morin, Chief Technology Officer, JLLT. “Companies across all sectors are exploring how AI can drive efficiency.”

However, she cautions that as the use of AI becomes more common place, businesses should be mindful of the various AI regulations that continue to emerge across the world, concerning data quality, IP rights, privacy and data security.

While office vacancy rates hit an all-time high, and housing shortages abound, investors and landlords are questioning what to do with buildings past their prime. Converting these spaces into apartments, life-science labs, luxury hotels, data centres or even vertical farms are becoming increasingly attractive options.

“With many buildings now out of date – if not yet out of use – and others simply failing to generate suitable yields, conversions are increasingly on the cards,” says Walid Goudiard, Head of Project and Development Services, EMEA.

He adds that as more repurposing projects are finished, developers are gaining valuable experience. Financing is also becoming more readily available.

“The environmental and social benefits are now clear, while future financial rewards are boosting investor confidence in the emerging business case for adaptive reuse strategies,” says Goudiard.