Page 9 - Ontegra PR REPORT - June 2024

AI-integrated solutions can become a game-changer in the FM industry
Adnan Jabri, General Manager of Ontegra

Over the past decades, facility management has evolved with the influence of various factors such as technological
advancement, sustainability impera ves, changing consumer demands and business landscape. One such
transforma ve force that led the fair share of the industry’s advancement is ar ficial intelligence (AI). It has succeeded
in advancing opera ons, improving efficiency, expedi ng decision making and reducing costs.

AI’s emergence has been regarded as a game changer in the facility management sector. As per industry reports, it has
a profound impact on the sector with a notable influence on its efficiency and cost effec veness. By leveraging the
capabili es of AI in automa ng tasks, streamlining processes and offering insigh ul data for decision-making, the
facility management sector is projected to boost its produc vity substan ally.

Currently, AI-powered systems play a vital role in managing assets and guiding the
workforce in real time. It evaluates data from various sources to monitor building

operations, ensures optimal performance and reduces the need for manual
interventions. The integration of AI disrupts conventional facility management
practices, taking over the repetitive administrational work in managing the workforce,
empowering facility managers to focus on strategic initiatives, ultimately leading to a

productive and efficient operation.

In the UAE, where facility management is one of the most thriving sectors, the market is
poised to exhibit significant growth propelled by AI. According to reports, the facility

management market size in the country is estimated at USD7.62bn in 2024 and is
projected to record USD10.53bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.68% during the period. This
forecast is a testament to the growing recognition of AI’s potential in elevating facility
management operations and quality of services.

Amid the wide array of AI features that are influencing the sector, one of the aspects

that are standing out is AI-powered assistants due to their extensive capabilities in
transforming facility management practices. A recent survey indicates that around 81%
of executives believe that within a short period of time AI will work hand-in-hand with

human capabilities. AI-integrated systems can facilitate various tasks, starting from
scheduling maintenance and managing energy consumption to delivering real-time
updates and alerts. By efficiently clubbing human and AI potential, businesses can

create a more responsive and adaptive facility management environment.

Furthermore, market reports prove that efficient integration of AI in facility
management operations can have immense financial benefits. AI and Internet of Things
(IoT) -related innovations are estimated to increase the global cost savings of up

to USD1.2tr. Such financial benefits can be attained by leveraging cutting-edge AI
solutions for improved operational efficiencies, predictive maintenance, and optimised
resource allocation. AI performs predictive maintenance more efficiently than human
judgements by relying on sensor readings and data matrices analysis. For example,

companies can utilise AI capabilities to analyse vast amounts of data to predict
equipment failures before they occur, which enables timely maintenance and reduce

https://www.fm-middleeast.com/people/ai-integrated-solutions-can-become-a-game-changer-in-the-fm-industry 2/3