AI & automation in the built environment: Insights and opportunities from our industry roundtable
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are reshaping the built environment from design to operation. While technology is advancing fast, the real challenge is still human: how to connect people, processes, and data into an ecosystem that delivers measurable performance, sustainability, and wellbeing.
To explore this question, PTS, in collaboration with Moto Shakoori, Founder and CEO at Ideal, hosted an industry roundtable at GSK’s Hydroponic Farm in their award-winning headquarters on New Oxford Street.
The location could not have been more fitting. GSK’s building uses smart technology and data to enhance employee wellbeing and collaboration. It represents exactly what our industry is striving for: intelligent design that connects people, place, and purpose.
PTS was engaged to deliver the smart building design, integrating more than 750 IoT sensors, dynamic workplace technologies, biophilic soundscaping, and real-time data insights to create a truly people-centred environment. Against that backdrop, senior leaders from across the built environment came together to share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for adopting automation and AI responsibly and effectively.
Here is what we learned…
A Sector Ready for Change
The built environment is entering a new stage of digital maturity. We are moving beyond digitised drawings and workflows into intelligent systems that learn, predict, and optimise in real time.
The opportunity is clear, but progress is uneven. Many organisations are trialling AI tools, yet few have embedded them across their data, governance, and delivery structures. To move from proof of concept to day-to-day operation, the focus must be on three connected areas:
People:Skills, culture, and trust.
Process:Integration, governance, and measurement.
Technology: Platforms, data ecosystems, and cybersecurity.
What We Heard
The Convergence of Design, Build, and Operate
Boundaries between disciplines are beginning to dissolve. Technology is enabling continuous feedback between design intent, construction execution, and operational performance. Shared data models and digital twins are becoming a common language for collaboration.
Data as the Foundation
Data quality and interoperability determine success. Fragmented datasets stop automation from scaling. The next step is open, reliable, and connected data that supports true collaboration.
Productivity, Risk, and the Workforce
Automation is delivering results where it reduces rework, improves predictability, and enhances the quality of work. AI is proving to be a partner to human capability, not a replacement.
Governance and Trust
AI creates new questions about accountability. Ownership, liability, and assurance models must evolve alongside the technology. Effective governance should be transparent, fair, and easy to understand.
Sustainability and ESG
AI is helping organisations meet their sustainability goals by optimising design, reducing waste, and managing energy use across the asset lifecycle.
A Construction Reality Check
Construction presents clear opportunities for automation in areas such as predictive planning, quality control, site monitoring, autonomous plant, and intelligent procurement. Yet the complexity of supply chains, inconsistent data, limited site bandwidth, and uncertainty around data ownership remain challenges.
The concept of a fully smart site is emerging, but progress is concentrated in specific, high-value, or high-risk projects.
Leadership and Culture
Technology alone does not create transformation. The most successful programmes are driven by curiosity, experimentation, and open communication. Cultural maturity is the foundation of any sustainable digital change.
The built environment has always been about connection between people, places, and purpose. AI and automation represent the next step in that connection. The challenge now is to harness these technologies responsibly, collaboratively, and creatively.
The 5 future trends set to transform data centre cabling
Data centres are changing fast as AI and cloud computing grow and put more demands on systems and technology. Higher speeds, lower latency and the pressure to scale are driving big shifts in the way cabling infrastructure is designed and deployed. Here are five trends that are shaping the future.
Fibre as the backbone
Fibre continues to be the foundation of high-performance data centres. With growing demand for 400G and beyond, its ability to deliver high bandwidth over long distances makes it essential for building networks that can scale.
Hollow-core fibre
One of the most exciting developments in cabling is hollow-core fibre. Instead of using solid glass, it carries light through air, which significantly reduces latency and signal loss. For environments where ultra-low latency is critical, hollow-core fibre has the potential to change the game.
Small-form high-density connectors
Space inside racks is always at a premium. Small-form, high-density connectors such as MPO /MTP variants allow more connections in a smaller footprint without sacrificing manageability, helping data centres support greater capacity in the same space.
Single Pair Ethernet
SPE is making it easier to connect low-bandwidth devices and sensors across the data centre. By delivering data and power over just one twisted pair, it reduces cable bulk, cable pathway real estate requirements and extends reach beyond standard Ethernet. It’s particularly useful for IoT integration in smart facilities.
Extended-reach copper
New extended-reach Category 6 cables can typically support 1Gbps up to 150 m, 100 Mbps up to 200 m, and 10 Mbps up to 250 m whilst supporting 90 Watts power over ethernet, offering a practical options for specific environments where fibre isn’t viable or cost-effective.
These technologies are creating a cabling landscape that’s faster, denser and better prepared for the demands of tomorrow’s data centres.
Why Wi-Fi 7 is wonderful: Planning advice for forward-thinking organisations
Wi-Fi 7 is being widely promoted by manufacturers and the industry press – and for good reason. But beyond the headlines, what are the real benefits, and what should organisations be thinking about when it comes to adoption?
At PTS, we explore these questions from the perspectives that matter most: client needs, technical realities, and broader market trends.
What Does Wi-Fi 7 Offer?
From a user and business perspective, Wi-Fi 7 brings meaningful advantages: faster speeds, lower latency, and better support for high-density environments. These improvements could reduce reliance on fixed cabling, enhance mobile working, and future-proof wireless investments.
From a technical standpoint, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) builds on Wi-Fi 6E. It leverages the 6GHz spectrum and offers major advances in performance and efficiency.
Industry-wise, we’re seeing renewed investment in enterprise-grade wireless. Manufacturers are sunsetting older product lines and releasing more advanced models, helping organisations benefit from improved competition and performance.
| Feature | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IEEE 802.11ax | IEEE 802.11be |
| Spectrum | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
| Max speed | 9.6 Gbps | Up to 46 Gbps |
| Channel width | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 320 MHz |
| Modulation | 1024 QAM | 4096 QAM |
| Latency | Low | Lower |
Is Now the Right Time to Upgrade?
That depends on your specific situation. Here are the main considerations:
Device Compatibility: Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible, but to realise its benefits, you’ll need both access points and end-user devices that support it. Many flagship laptops and smartphones already do — and broader adoption is coming quickly.
Cost and Infrastructure: Beyond the access points themselves, organisations may need to upgrade switches, cabling, and power supplies. While this comes at a cost, it should be weighed against the performance gains and the potential to reduce cabling.
Network Readiness: Wi-Fi 7’s performance relies on the right supporting infrastructure. That includes Cat 6 or better cabling, sufficient PoE budgets, available switch ports, and adequate cooling and rack space.
Legacy Wi-Fi Planning: Older standards like Wi-Fi 5 are already being phased out by many vendors. Wi-Fi 6 and 6E will be around for a while, but it’s important to plan your roadmap now.
Why Redesign, Not Just Replace?
Wi-Fi 7 operates at higher frequencies, which means shorter signal range. Simply swapping out access points like-for-like won’t deliver the full benefits. More access points will often be required, and careful planning is essential to avoid poor coverage and unnecessary costs.
For example, in a 3,384m² office:
- 2.4GHz: 6 APs
- 5GHz: 16 APs
- 6GHz (Wi-Fi 7): 19 APs
While that may seem like a large increase, the bandwidth improvements are significant. In one test, throughput increased from 180 Mbps on 2.4GHz to over 700 Mbps using Wi-Fi 7.
In Summary
Wi-Fi 7 is set to become the next enterprise standard — but not overnight. For most organisations, adoption will happen gradually over the next three to five years. However, careful planning now will pay dividends later.
If done right, Wi-Fi 7 can support the modern workplace with the speed, stability, and scalability it demands. If done without a plan, it may lead to costly upgrades with underwhelming results.
At PTS, we help organisations make the transition confidently — from early modelling to final deployment.
Defining a workplace data strategy: Using building data to optimise workplace efficiency and productivity
Building data has become a powerful tool to help make decisions based on evidence, not instinct. But to unlock its full value, you need a clear and considered data strategy.
Why Now?
Real estate remains one of the most significant overheads after salaries. At the same time, space is often underused, and expectations around experience, flexibility, and sustainability are increasing.
The good news? Data can help uncover what’s really happening in your buildings. It can support better planning, reduce energy use, and improve how people feel in the workplace.
Start with a Clear Purpose
A workplace data strategy is more than installing a few sensors. It’s about defining what you want to know—and why. Whether it’s understanding meeting room usage, identifying quiet zones, or tracking occupancy trends, clarity of purpose leads to better outcomes.
Aligning data collection with broader business goals like reducing carbon footprint, increasing collaboration, or supporting hybrid models ensures your insights have real impact.
Make Integration Work for You
Many organisations already collect data from access controls, booking tools, or HVAC systems. The challenge is often making those systems talk to each other. A good integration plan, supported by APIs and clear data definitions, avoids duplication and unlocks a single version of the truth.
Keep It Secure and Respectful
Privacy matters. Employees should feel confident that data is being used responsibly. Using anonymous data where possible, being transparent about what’s collected and why, and ensuring compliance with privacy laws is critical to long-term success.
Culture Matters
No strategy works without buy-in. That means engaging your workplace teams early, offering training, and showing the value of the insights you’re gathering. When teams are confident and onboard, they become champions of change not blockers.
From Insight to Action
Data alone doesn’t drive change action does. That’s why it’s important to choose tools that make insight easy to understand and act on. Think dashboards, trend reports, and clear visuals that show where improvements can be made and what they’ll deliver.
From disaster recovery to true resilience: why data centre strategies are under review
A shift in board-level focus
Recent global events are reshaping how organisations think about resilience. What was once treated as a contingency is now firmly on the agenda at board level, with increasing scrutiny on whether existing strategies can genuinely withstand disruption.
In data centre environments, this shift is particularly evident. Organisations are revisiting fundamental assumptions and asking tougher questions:
- Are we overly exposed to geographic risk
- How resilient are our supply chains and power dependencies
- Do our recovery plans reflect reality, or just intention
- Are our physical infrastructure and digital services truly aligned
- How thoroughly have our plans been tested
These are not theoretical concerns. They go to the heart of service availability.
Rethinking resilience beyond a safety net
For many organisations, resilience has historically been treated like an insurance policy. Something that exists, but is rarely tested. Even when tested the scope of the tests are usually limited to a few scenarios. That approach is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
Disruption is evolving. It is no longer limited to infrastructure failure. Geopolitical instability, cyber threats and regulatory pressures are now part of the same risk landscape. Against this backdrop, traditional Disaster Recovery approaches can fall short.
Disaster Recovery versus Business Continuity
Disaster Recovery assumes that failure will occur, and focuses on how quickly services can be restored. Measured through Recovery Time Objectives and Recovery Point Objectives, it provides a structured response, but not necessarily continuity.
This is why many organisations are moving towards Business Continuity. The objective shifts from recovery to maintaining service availability wherever possible. However, this is not simply a technical upgrade. It requires a fundamental change in thinking.
Achieving this transition demands investment, architectural redesign and rigorous testing, often in controlled live environments. It also requires coordination across technology, people and processes, particularly under conditions of stress.
There is no one size fits all approach
That said, not every organisation will take the same path. Risk appetite, budget constraints and the nature of potential disruption all influence the right approach. For some, a well-defined Disaster Recovery strategy remains entirely valid.
The real challenge is understanding whether your current position is credible.
The risk of legacy environments
Legacy environments can introduce significant risk, particularly where automation, orchestration and replication capabilities are limited. In these cases, recovery often depends on manual intervention, increasing both complexity and uncertainty at the point it matters most.
Why independent review matters
This is where independent, scenario-led review becomes critical.
By testing resilience against realistic disruption scenarios, organisations can move beyond assumptions and gain a clear view of their actual capability. For those operating enterprise data centres or colocation facilities, this includes examining geographic distribution, supply chain resilience, technical architecture, connectivity and power dependencies in a joined-up way.
Resilience is not defined by a document or a plan. It is defined by how systems, people and processes perform under pressure.
At PTS Consulting, we help organisations challenge their assumptions and build resilience strategies that stand up to real world conditions. The goal is simple: to ensure digital services remain available when they are needed most.
Take the next step
If you are re-evaluating your resilience strategy, now is the time to put it to the test. Speak to PTS Consulting about how an independent, scenario-led review can provide clarity and confidence. Reach out to our Senior Enterprise Consultant, John Careford at john.careford@pts.global.