Technology companies evolve workplaces to balance innovation with optimization amid AI transformation

CHICAGO, July 29, 2025 – Technology companies are strategically optimizing their real estate portfolios to free up capital for artificial intelligence investments while simultaneously enhancing workplace effectiveness. JLL’s latest research, 2025 Technology Spaces Report, explores how technology organizations are using data-driven strategies to balance cost optimization with innovation demands across office and specialized research spaces.

“The race to lead in artificial intelligence is driving technology companies to innovate faster and to increase investment by driving revenue growth and cutting costs,” said Rob Kolar, Global Division President, Technology, JLL Work Dynamics. “Technology companies are taking a more strategic approach to their real estate, focusing on both optimization and innovation to support rapid AI growth while maximizing the effectiveness of their office environments.”

While many technology companies maintain hybrid work policies, they are increasingly focused on boosting office attendance and effectiveness. Insights from JLL’s 2025 Global Occupancy Planning Benchmark Report reveals that 56% of technology organizations reduced space in the last year to increase utilization, with 73% having added collaboration space to support hybrid work programs. However, enforcement of in-office policies remains inconsistent, with 24% not enforcing requirements and 45% relying on individual managers to implement attendance on their teams.

Lab and R&D spaces, representing approximately 10% of technology companies’ real estate portfolios, are becoming increasingly important for AI innovation. Despite this growing significance, these specialized spaces lag behind in utilization tracking and data-driven design, with 47% of companies that have lab spaces not currently tracking their utilization.

“To maximize space effectiveness, technology companies need a smart, goal-driven data strategy,” noted Kari Beets, Senior Manager, Technology Research, JLL. “Quality data is paramount in making impactful decisions, but it’s essential to streamline what metrics are collected and presented in light of overall strategy to trim costs and lead to more optimized space.”

Looking ahead, JLL forecasts four key ways technology workspaces will transform in the next 3-5 years:

1. The learning workplace: Agentic AI will create workplaces that adapt automatically to improve efficiency and human experience

2. Innovation-driven investment: Increased spending on AI compute, lab spaces and R&D facilities to support innovation

3. Collaboration over cubicles: Greater emphasis on human collaboration and AI-supported work environments

4. Energy-conscious design: Technology companies will increasingly focus on clean power and energy efficiency to support AI computing demands

The technology workplace of the future will be a learning workspace that is innovation-driven, collaborative – between humans and with machines – and energy-conscious. JLL’s research indicates that 82% of technology real estate leaders believe AI can help solve major CRE challenges.

“To prepare for the future, corporate real estate teams must establish a clear vision that’s aligned with business goals and flexible enough to respond to rapid change,” added Nick LiVigne, Managing Director, Consulting Lead, Technology, JLL. “This means building strong data capabilities to be more predictive, applying AI to the right business problems, and having a test and learn approach to how the teams operate.”

In an industry that thrives on balance of innovation and sustainability, JLL is the premier provider of strategic real estate advisory and facilities services for technology industry leaders, including SaaS, tech hardware manufacturing, electronics services and semi-conductors. With deep expertise in real estate strategy and intelligence, facilities management, ESG, trends, regulations and research, our global team of advisors provides the right alchemy of integrated tech, workplace strategies and a future-focused, proactive approach. Our value-driven partnership fuels productivity and efficiency, improves financial performance, enhances your competitive edge and optimizes human experience. Visit jll.com/en-us/industries/technology.

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