Illuminations series: AI's hidden real estate advantages

While many boardroom agendas focus on using AI to transform core business functions, forward-thinking organizations are taking advantage of an opportunity often overlooked: their real estate and facilities management data.

Our research reveals a striking gap: while 92% of companies are testing AI solutions, only 5% have achieved their AI goals in commercial real estate (CRE). The issue isn’t lack of investment—it’s the absence of a comprehensive strategy. Companies are running scattered pilots without connecting them to broader business objectives, missing significant opportunities to realize AI's real potential and deliver meaningful impact.

Our advice: Don’t get caught off guard. Instead, tap into this potential to fuel growth now.

Your workspaces and buildings are alive with a heartbeat fueled by data—from badge swipes and footsteps to electricity, plumbing, air conditioning and ventilation.

Modern building management systems uncover millions of data points, but without analysis, this treasure remains untapped. AI turns this data into transformative insights that can generate quick-turn financial benefits.
 

Here’s how we’re using AI to help solve your most pressing business challenges:

Platforms like JLL Falcon use AI-powered tools such as Asset Beacon and Azara to find real-time insights from operational and occupancy data. This approach helps organizations cut costs while advancing their business goals. Bamboo Equity Partners, an Asset Beacon user, shows how this works in practice. The real estate investment firm manages $400 million worth of properties and was looking for better ways to track performance across all their buildings. With this tool, they bring together data across their entire portfolio into one place. The technology takes information that buildings already collect and makes it easier to understand and act on, leading to smarter operations and better results. Now they can see how their properties are performing in real time and make better decisions about their investments.

Our latest research revealed that more than half of organizations now require employees to be in the office three to four days a week. There's now a growing focus on making workplaces truly "commute-worthy." With work-life balance now outranking salary as the top retention driver at 65%, flexibility in location and hours has become a need and not a perk.

Why is that important? Because your real estate, talent and sustainability strategies are all interconnected. The moves you make across the buildings and spaces you lease and own will resonate for years to come. No pressure.
 

Here’s how AI can maximize the business impact of your offices and other real estate:

According to our latest technology survey, 87% of companies are increasing their real estate technology budgets to adopt AI between now and 2030. 

The integration of AI and real estate offers a powerful opportunity to align operational wins with ambitious growth goals. Success starts with your data—how it’s captured, governed and modeled to unlock its hidden value.

Partnering with experts in AI and real estate is key, as is strong C-suite leadership. JLL's Global Real Estate Outlook shows 60% of investors still lack clear technology plans and 70% of occupiers lack AI change management frameworks, making leadership support essential to avoid struggling beyond pilot programs.

Senior-level support drives focus, ensures accountability, and harnesses investments in tools that deliver exponential benefits across the business, including for your greatest asset: your people.

“Leaders need to remember that the future workplace is not just about technology; it’s about creating trust-centric environments where AI augments human potential,” says JLL’s Ram Srinivasan.

“This requires a holistic approach that considers how technology, space design and organizational culture come together to help great companies do great things.”

Your buildings and spaces can provide real business solutions and immediate financial rewards. With so many complementary factors converging in the worlds of work, technology and sustainability, leading organizations are ready to make the most of this moment.

Are you?
 

The time to act is now.

Illuminations shines a light on the innovative ways that buildings and the spaces around us can help solve our biggest business challenges.