Facilities management poised to become boardroom priority as AI adoption accelerates, JLL report reveals

• JLL research shows AI adoption in facilities management (FM) is accelerating globally, with 45% of organisations already scaling or optimizing AI and 86% expected to do so by 2030.
• Fifty-eight percent of organizations that see facilities management as a source of competitive advantage plan to expand their workforce.
• Nearly 70% of organizations experienced disruptions from skilled trades labor shortages and AI or technical skills gaps during the past year, making talent availability the most significant challenge in industry.

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2026 – Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how organisations operate and maintain offices, manufacturing plants, data centers and other commercial real estate properties, according to JLL’s 2026 Global State of Facilities Management Report. Based on responses from 1,321 organisations in the Americas, EMEA and APAC, the research found that 45% of organizations are already scaling or optimizing AI in facilities management (FM) operations, a figure expected to rise to 86% by 2030.

The report also highlights a significant execution challenge accompanying this transformation. While organisations are rapidly advancing AI adoption, many are still building the workforce and operational capabilities needed to support it at scale. Nearly 70% of respondents reported operational disruptions over the past year caused by skilled trades labor shortages and AI or technical skills gaps, yet fewer than 45% say they are prepared to manage those risks over the next three to five years.

“Across EMEA, the workforce gap is the common thread, but the pressures around it are local,” said Peter Jones, Divisional President – Workplace Management EMEA at JLL. “Skilled trades shortages and AI skills gaps rate as elevated or significant risks in the UK, Ireland and Germany. Beyond that, the picture splits: supply chain disruption stands out in key European markets. For occupiers running portfolios across borders, a single playbook won’t work.” He added: “The organisations moving fastest are treating facilities management as a strategic investment, building local talent pipelines and working with partners who understand each market, so AI can deliver on its promise.”

As organisations expand their use of AI and automation, they are also assigning greater strategic importance to building management and operations. Today, half of respondents view FM as a significant driver of competitive advantage, which is projected to increase to 82% by 2030. Organizations with more advanced AI adoption also report higher perceptions of FM's strategic value.

The research also finds that organisations viewing FM as a competitive advantage are increasing investment rather than reducing resources. Among these respondents, 64% expect FM budgets to increase over the next three to five years and 58% plan to expand their workforce, while 45% anticipate both budget and workforce growth. The findings suggest organizations are expanding resources to support broader responsibilities and deliver greater business impact.

The metrics used to evaluate FM success also vary by industry. Technology organisations place the greatest emphasis on AI-enabled productivity gains, while data centre operators prioritise asset uptime and lifecycle optimisation. Manufacturing and industrial organisations rank productivity, safety and compliance and cost efficiency among their top priorities, while government and education organisations place the greatest emphasis on safety, risk and compliance management.

While AI adoption and workforce transformation are global themes, organisations face different operational risks depending on geography. In the Americas, supply chain disruption ranks among the leading concerns in both the United States and Canada, while organisations in Mexico report elevated exposure to energy cost volatility. Across EMEA, risk profiles vary more substantially, with extreme weather emerging as a significant concern in Ireland and regulatory compliance burdens ranking among the top challenges in Germany. In APAC, organizations in China face a combination of energy cost pressures and supply chain vulnerabilities, while workforce-related risks remain the dominant concern in Australia and Singapore. These findings underscore the need for resilience strategies tailored to local market conditions.

As organisations expand technology across larger portfolios, they increasingly recognise the need for external expertise as facilities operations become more technology-enabled and complex. Nearly half of advanced AI adopters consider external FM and technology partnerships essential, compared with just 20% of organisations that have not yet deployed AI.

“Data readiness remains one of the biggest barriers to scaling AI successfully,” said Wei Xie, Head of Strategy and Research, Workplace Management at JLL. “As organisations advance their AI adoption, provider selection increasingly shifts from cost and reliability toward data, technology and innovation capabilities. Organisations deploying AI at scale are more than twice as likely as those in the early stages to view external partnerships as essential to success.”

Looking ahead, respondents expect FM to become increasingly technology enabled. Nearly 90% believe spending will shift from labor toward technology and automation and expect greater use of outcome-based pricing while 85% envision operations delivered through a combination of human technicians, AI and robotics; however, procurement processes have yet to keep pace.

Why is facilities management becoming more strategically important?
 

Organisations are increasingly looking beyond cost control and focusing on how facilities management can support broader business priorities, including productivity, operational resilience, energy performance and workplace experience. As AI and digital technologies become more integrated into building operations, facilities teams are increasingly using technology and data to support business priorities and operational performance.

What do the findings suggest about the future facilities management workforce?
 

The research points to a workforce transition taking place across the industry. As AI, automation and connected building technologies become more deeply embedded in facilities operations, organisations will need to balance traditional building operations expertise with growing demand for digital and analytical capabilities. The report suggests that long-term success will depend on an organisation's ability to attract, retain and upskill talent across both areas as facilities management becomes increasingly technology enabled.

What separates organizations that are further along in their AI adoption journey?
 

Organisations deploying AI at scale tend to have stronger foundations in areas such as data quality, system integration, cybersecurity, executive sponsorship and workforce capabilities. The findings suggest that successful AI adoption depends on more than technology investment alone. It also requires operational readiness, organisational alignment and access to the expertise needed to translate AI capabilities into measurable business value.

Why is recognising regional differences important for global organisations?
 

The survey found that while many organisations share common goals around technology adoption, operational resilience and workforce readiness, risk profiles vary significantly by market. Organisations must navigate a range of local challenges, from supply chain disruption and energy cost volatility to regulatory requirements and extreme weather, while maintaining a consistent global approach to facilities management.

How could facilities management operations look different by 2030?
 

Respondents overwhelmingly expect facilities operations to become more technology-enabled, with AI, automation and robotics playing a larger role in supporting day-to-day activities. Rather than replacing people, these technologies are expected to augment human expertise, helping organisations improve operational efficiency, asset performance and decision-making. The research suggests future operating models will increasingly combine skilled technicians, AI-driven insights and automation, while placing greater emphasis on outcomes and business performance.