Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered the next big development in technology. Just like many previous technological advancements, this one is expected to impact our personal and professional lives dramatically.
AI is designed to automate many repetitive tasks, eliminating what is traditionally referred to as back-office administrative activities.
For instance, it can transfer data from an email or voice message to a computer file, helping to update addresses as well as billing and contact information of tenant records. AI will save Facility Managers (FMs) and their staffs a considerable amount of time. FMs will be able to focus on more valuable projects such as enhancing tenant satisfaction, streamlining building operations, and even cutting operating costs.
According to one user of AI technology, it now “completes 86 percent of our transactions without human intervention. It’s not rocket science, but it does cut time and costs.”
Defining AI
To prepare us for the big impact AI is expected to have, we should have a good understanding of what IA is all about. This should not be hard because most of us already use AI (whenever we use Google’s Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa at home or work). According to the Brookings Institute:
AI generally refers to machines that respond to stimulation consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity for contemplation, judgment, and intention.
In other words, we ask a question of either the Assistant or Alexa, and the system provides an answer. The institute also adds this definition:
[AI] makes decisions which normally require [a] human level of expertise and help people anticipate problems or deal with issues as they come up.
While the Assistant and Alexa do not necessarily make decisions for us, they can certainly help us make decisions, even if it’s as simple as whether we should wear a coat outside. So how will AI help FMs? Some likely possibilities are as follows:
• AI systems are designed to identify operational problems of buildings as soon as they occur or, even better, before they occur so that FMs can address them more quickly.
• If a building is having a mechanical problem, AI can pinpoint the problem and what needs to be performed to remedy the situation.
• AI can lead to more effective energy management that will help reduce energy costs. For instance, AI can determine when certain rooms of a facility are most often used, allowing it to turn on HVAC systems when necessary and off when these rooms are not in use.
We should also point out that AI is expected to have a major impact on professional cleaning. For instance, cleaning “robots” are expected to have a major impact on the industry in the next few years, taking over many repetitive cleaning tasks usually performed by custodial workers. Further, floor cleaning systems that can determine which floors to clean or scrub are already making a big impact on the industry.
AI is also found in restrooms. Systems can not only tell when soap and paper supplies are running low—and notify a building attendant to refill a dispenser—but also predict when supplies may run out. This information can help FMs and building staff make sure restrooms supplies are always available throughout the day.
Technology such as AI will help modernize cleaning. This, in turn, will allow custodial workers to spend more time keeping their customers’ properties cleaner and healthier.
Ron Segura has over 45 years of experience in all segments of the professional cleaning industry including ten years as Manager of Janitorial Operations for Walt Disney Pictures and Television. To contact him, call 650-315-8933.
