AI has come a long way in recent years — From something we dreamt about using, to a tidal wave of digital services integrating it into their software.
Rather than focus on the usual tasks of summarising documents and emails, here we’ll focus on how AI can physically help to increase the positivity of those around.
Productivity and a better quality of life will be a direct impact of AI optimisations for space and atmosphere. This isn’t to say that it will all be done for us, but there are many things that we can rely on AI to deliver.
Planning
While planning an office is still heavily dependent on human intuition and best practice, AI will be used more frequently to provide valuable insight in the form of employee activity data. This influences the location and size of various office features to enhance flow and adapt to occupancy.
Armed with the insight of how spaces are being used before the fit-out process begins, designers have the necessary knowledge to make the most of every square foot.
Desk arrangements, meeting rooms, breakout zones and more will be configured to maximise productivity and fully utilise available space.
With workplace utilisation currently at an average of 40%, it’s clear that optimisation with the help of AI could play a big role in making the most of current unused space.
Occupancy & Utilisation Analytics
Gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all approach to office design, where layouts were based on the number of desks. Now, not only are we seeing offices designed around teams, but AI is enhancing this further by allowing us to optimise based on usage patterns.
With so many organisations opting for a hybrid approach, it’s more important to understand which areas of the office are being used and how often. This allows an office to adapt to the needs of its occupants by changing the size, location and type of area to increase efficiency.
For example, an underutilised area can be changed to make space for collaboration zones, wellbeing areas or collision points.
Not only that, but AI can be used to provide real-time meeting room availability, even automatically creating and cancelling bookings to free up time slots and avoid conflicts.
Acoustics and Lighting Optimisation
In recent studies, more than half of office workers said lighting affected the quality of their work and up to three quarters through temperature.
Temperatures can be controlled in real-time to ensure the optimal comfort of teams, even individually controlled with further HVAC modifications. Lighting can also be adjusted based on natural levels and number of people.
Allowing AI to control these not only increases mood and efficiency, but also reduces operational costs.
Smart Building & BMS Integration
Wellbeing, airflow, temperature and lighting can be adjusted to suit occupancy levels at all times, as previously mentioned in the section above.
Predictive maintenance minimises downtime and repair costs by reducing failures devices to monitor wear and alerting us when servicing is required. Organisations see a significant reduction in energy usage with AI management.
In terms of cleaning, the most popular include air conditioning filters which can be monitored and floors that are cleaned by autonomous robots. No doubt others will emerge to help with more tasks in this area.
Conclusion
Offices are already embracing AI and will be heavily optimised before, during and after a fit-out, fundamentally altering workplace dynamics.
You’ll be walking into the office with your personal space automatically set to your productivity preferences, no longer experiencing issues with meeting rooms, with predictive maintenance ensuring that everything works flawlessly.
AI is already here to help in many ways, but it won’t be removing the need for an office.
Instead, merely redefining how we use the space by adapting to a shift towards wellbeing and collaboration.
This is just the beginning, but what a place to start.
If your space is in need of optimisation, reach out to begin your office transformation today.