We summarize the key themes and insights from a discussion on AI in facilities management (FM) hosted by "The Mosh Pit", a virtual and in-person community forum.
The conversation centered around the IFMA Game Changer Report, “AI in FM: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI,” and featured insights from FM practitioners, academics, and AI solution providers.
Practical Steps for Implementation:
Start small with targeted, individual-level applications to demonstrate value before scaling to the enterprise level.
Prioritize business outcomes and clearly define the problems AI will solve.
Upskilling existing staff and hiring data professionals is critical for long-term success.
Quote: "A absolute key to getting started is to start with a small, purposeful task... What is the thing that I'm trying to accomplish? The agent needs to be defined in a way that its personality, its education, all the data that it has access to is very focused on that outcome." - James Waddell
Industry collaboration is vital:
Breaking down silos within organizations (e.g., between FM and HR) and across the industry is crucial for data sharing and establishing best practices.
Developing standards and frameworks, like those being worked on by IFMA, will be vital for ensuring interoperability and realizing the full potential of AI in FM.
Quote: "We really need an open book here or just get lucky with a great partner, a great vendor that's elevated to partner." - David Gray
Watch the MoshPit Video Here (Podcast with slides and related visuals):
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