AI and Data Centres: Key Themes from Our Recent Roundtable Breakfast

AI is no longer just a talking point for the future — it is already beginning to reshape how buildings are understood, managed, and valued. At our recent roundtable breakfast, industry professionals came together to discuss the growing impact of AI in real estate, alongside the rapid expansion of data centres and the infrastructure challenges that come with them.

The conversation explored how AI is helping property professionals make better use of building data, spot opportunities to improve efficiency, and identify where value can be added. It is also changing the way buildings are managed day to day, with smarter use of data creating new opportunities for cost savings and better decision-making.

The discussion also highlighted the realities of the data centre market. Demand continues to grow, but delivery is not straightforward. Suitable sites are limited, power capacity is a major constraint, and repurposing existing buildings is often more difficult than it first appears. Sustainability was another key theme, with growing interest in how data centres can reduce energy use and operate more efficiently in the long term.

Data security and governance were also central to the conversation, particularly where clients require data to be stored and processed within the UK or Europe. As AI adoption increases, these considerations are becoming more important across the sector.

It was a thought-provoking discussion and a timely reminder that the future of real estate will be shaped not just by buildings, but by the data, systems, and infrastructure behind them.