Tag: artificial intelligence

Why Modern Facilities Management Must Pivot from Manual to Automated Fire Safety

By James Pecz, Ramtech North America Jun 18, 2026 Data Centers

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  For decades, facilities management has remained relatively static: protect the building envelope, manage HVAC, and ensure critical safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are maintained. However, the landscape is shifting. As infrastructure becomes more […]

Faces of Facilities: Michael Zechman on AI in FM

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jun 15, 2026 Faces of Facilities

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

One might expect Michael Zechman, a veteran facilities management professional at The Hershey Co., to be wary of futuristic tech such as artificial intelligence. However, he embraces it and believes AI can play a major role in FM so long as adoption is approached “thoughtfully.” In fact, he noted, “Within my organization, we are already […]

Hybrid Work Stabilizes as Occupancy Planning Enters a Data-Driven Era

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jun 4, 2026 Human Resources

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

The global workforce has found its post-pandemic equilibrium, stabilizing around structured hybrid models, according to a new report from JLL. But with hybrid work here to stay, will more organizations turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to boost occupancy planning and management? JLL’s Global Occupancy Planning Benchmark Report 2026 draws on insights from 84 organizations representing […]

5 Questions Facilities Managers Should Ask Before Trusting AI with HVAC Optimization

By Chuan He, ClimaMind Jun 2, 2026 Energy Management and Lighting

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up in more conversations about HVAC energy savings. That is not surprising. Heating and cooling are expensive, controls data is increasingly available, and many buildings still have room for […]

7 Video Surveillance Trends Impacting Facilities Managers in 2026

By Dean Drako, Brivo May 28, 2026 Access Control

Updated: May 28, 2026

Video surveillance systems are evolving from passive recording to cloud-native AI-powered systems that provide risk detection, notification, and real-time information for facilities managers. The cloud and artificial intelligence are essential to this transformation, enabling remote access, ongoing updates, custom searches, and business-specific reports. These new capabilities create both opportunity and tension. While AI cloud-based systems […]

Back to Basics: How Smart Sensors and AI Work Together

By April Miller, Contributing Writer May 27, 2026 Back to Basics

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Smart buildings do much more than automate routine tasks. Today, facilities management teams can combine smart sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) to create workplaces that operate more efficiently, safely, and intelligently. This combination is known as the […]

AI‑Powered HVAC: The First Step Toward Future‑Ready Buildings

By Sadiq Sayed, Schneider Electric May 15, 2026 Design and Construction

Updated: May 15, 2026

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  HVAC is fundamental to keeping commercial spaces safe, comfortable, and productive. Yet with soaring energy bills, increasingly erratic weather patterns, and much tougher building performance benchmarks, facilities managers must balance strict temperature and air-quality […]

5 Ways Manual Data Mapping Is Holding Facilities Teams Back

By Richard Reyes, ConnexFM & OSCRE May 13, 2026 Energy Management and Lighting

Updated: May 13, 2026

The built environment is entering a machine-first era: According to a recent report by Johnson Controls, 67% of facilities managers are already using AI to improve the operation, utilization, and maintenance of their buildings, while 61% say they plan to implement or expand the use of AI in 2026. With this widespread adoption of AI […]

The $150 Billion Energy Waste Problem Buildings Are Ignoring

By Ari Shultz, Entech May 1, 2026 Energy Management and Lighting

Updated: May 1, 2026

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  The residential and commercial building sector is the leading energy consumer in the U.S. economy, accounting for approximately 40% of the nation’s entire energy consumption and 35% of U.S. carbon emissions. What’s worse? The […]

Report: U.S. Office Demand Hits ‘Remarkable’ Post-Pandemic High

By Joe Bebon, Editor May 1, 2026 Design and Construction

Updated: May 1, 2026

Despite anxiety over the current war in Iran and economic uncertainty at home, U.S. office demand posted sizable quarterly and annual gains in the first quarter, according to the latest VTS Office Demand Index (VODI) report. The increased growth in Q1 was primarily driven by finance, legal, and technology tenants—with quarterly and annual demand for office […]