AI impacts offices in more ways than one

Core Insights - The surge of AI is significantly driving demand in the U.S. office market, particularly in San Francisco and New York City, which have outpaced the national market in post-COVID demand peaks [1][2][3] Group 1: Office Demand Growth - Year-over-year office demand grew by 39% in New York City and 107% in San Francisco in August, compared to a national average of 30% [2] - The tech sector, especially AI-related technology, is a primary driver of this growth, positioning these cities as premier hubs for commercial real estate [3] Group 2: Impact of AI on Workplaces - AI is not only driving demand but also transforming workplace functionality, with emerging AI solutions enabling building operators to automate systems and enhance efficiency [4][5] - Changes in how individuals access information, book spaces, and utilize workspaces are being influenced by AI tools, impacting overall user experience [5] Group 3: Sentiment Towards Technology in Workspaces - While there is a broadly positive sentiment towards technology in buildings, there is also a notable pushback, with a growing interest in technology-free spaces [6] - Almost two-thirds of respondents in a JLL survey expressed a desire for "digital detox" spaces, indicating a preference for low-tech collaboration areas and tech-free social environments [7]