Artificial Intelligence: Wising up to a new way of working – ThinkFM Conference 2017

To some Artificial Intelligence (AI) may seem like a solely sci-fi concept, but in truth it is already becoming reality in ways we may not realise, with its application within the facilities management function already in use. Aside from virtual assistants like Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana, which have already pervaded our day-to-day lives, other forms of AI are steadily making inroads into all sectors, and FM is no exception. Whether it is the use of smart floor sweepers or robot receptionists, AI is one fast-evolving concept that a growing number believe has the potential to not only overhaul the FM industry but the entire professional environment. According to our recent Twitter poll on the subject, just over half of respondents believe that AI is an opportunity to increase their organisation's profit margins. Does this indicate that some in the FM sector already see the potential to save money on staffing costs as robots and machines take over more manual FM services as some of the more sensationalist headlines suggest?