加拿大商业地产逐渐接受人工智能技术

Increased efficiency and reduced costs. That is what AI promises the commercial real estate industry. And it’s a tantalizing promise, but despite the big buzz around big tech, a recent report shows uptake of AI solutions in the commercial segment has been underwhelming. Why? According to a recent survey from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada), which shares insights from property managers, asset managers and technology/innovation consultants, the average CRE portfolio uses AI in only 23% of its buildings. That average, BOMA notes, is made up of a range of responses that varied from 0% of buildings all the way to 100%. Authors of the survey suggest this low average percentage is due to the fact that “many buildings simply don’t have the infrastructure in place” to support AI implementation. 44% of respondents say “legacy” building systems that weren’t designed with AI in mind have hindered their ability to implement AI at scale. But on top of this “infrastructure conundrum,” another 52% say their hesitation is due to the high cost of implementing AI, paired with unknown returns. The majority, at 63%, say a major roadblock is lack of internal expertise in AI. “The biggest barrier is a lack of understanding about what’s out there, how it works and what it can be implemented with,” says one respondent. Those that are implementing the tech are largely putting it to use for energy management and optimization. In fact, 70% of respondents say they are using AI in this area. Some of the most widely-used tools include Building Management Systems (BMS), which use AI to control and monitor HVAC, lighting and energy systems; and smart meters, which track how much energy is used and when, and automatically share the data with utility companies. The survey’s statistics on investment outlooks over the next two years capture the industry’s willingness to adopt AI in the near term. 46% said they plan to invest under $500,000, 32% have no investments…