It’s impossible to know precisely how AI will affect the workplace, but experts are taking their best shots at anticipating its impact. CBRE Australia’s Head of Office & Capital Markets Research Tom Broderick says Large Language Models (LLMs), whether they be Microsoft’s Copilot or OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are now at the forefront of AI’s practical applications in the workplace. Leading UK digital strategist Antony Slumbers is of the view that grappling with AI’s consequences for offices requires a close look on their exact purpose - and how that will most likely change. So while we cannot foresee the reach of computing power and AI in 3, 5, 10 years’ time, Slumbers surmises we must look at our presence in the office from the perspective of being there “to do what the machines, the AI, cannot.”
At the same time, the nature of work is moving in such a direction that in future far more space will be required to accommodate “teamwork and cross-functional collaboration”. It stands to reason then, Mr Slumbers says, that workers will need office spaces to be as flexible and adaptable as possible. Modular furniture en masse, movable partitions at the ready- whatever it takes.
“We will need to be able to easily transform from individual work areas to collaborative zones… which will require a variety of meeting spaces catering to different group sizes and work styles,” he says. “Every space will be designed to catalyse ‘human’ skills and capabilities… informal gathering spaces to encourage spontaneous interactions and idea sharing will be a top focus. Most of the space will be ‘water cooler’.”
Likewise, CBRE’s Mr Broderick says AI will “drive a revolution in office design through the automation of layout planning and furniture arrangement, a move which will contribute to optimised efficiency and comfort”.
“By analysing workplace data, AI can create dynamic 3D models and suggest modifications based on team interactions and space utilisation,” Broderick explains.
“This approach will enable real-time adaptation of workspaces, fostering collaboration and productivity, while also predicting future space requirements.”
Onward & Upward
Rapid advancements and changing economic landscapes will require greater focus on creating “exceptional areas dedicated to continuous skill development”. “In many ways our places of work will become places of learning,” Mr Slumbers says. Such in-house learning centres and/or ‘corporate universities’ will be relying on AI-powered tools and simulators.
Enhancing infrastructure
If your office isn’t already housed in a smart building, chances are it will be soon. Mr Broderick says AI will accelerate the construction of smart buildings simply via its capacity to enable and optimise real-time building analytics across every area, from energy consumption and lighting to predicting maintenance needs.
We are “moving into a world of intelligent, self-monitoring and self-optimising assets”, says Mr Slumbers. “Every building will need advanced digital infrastructure to support all of this. Robust, high-speed networks capable of handling increased data loads will be imperative.”
Different strokes
Office designers will almost certainly incorporate dedicated areas for working with AI systems into their plans. This means you won’t have to worry about being watched while being immersed in a virtual reality presentation. “All of this will be a key reason to come to the office,” Mr Sumbers points out, “to use equipment not available anywhere else.”
Not All About Work
It’s about you, too. “Enabling people to be as happy, healthy and productive as they are capable of being will be the primary aim of any place of work,” Mr Slumbers says. Enter the era of #SpaceasaService: spaces for delivering the best possible environments to best allow each individual to do what they need to do. “Offices are likely to be designed more like hospitality spaces that prioritise user experience,” Mr Slumbers says. “They’ll be personalized, optimised and customised.”