Offices

Why the office matters more than ever in the age of AI

By Charlotte Steggles, Director

The conversation around the future of offices has shifted significantly over the past few years. We’ve gone from asking is there a need for office space, but now the more relevant question is what kind of office space businesses, employees and customers want in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.

From my perspective, the future of the office market is bright, but only for landlords who are prepared to invest capital and creativity into their office stock.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses communicate, market themselves and interact with customers. It is making processes faster, more efficient and, in many cases, more standardised. However, as organisations embrace these technologies, there is a growing need for authenticity, distinctiveness and human connection. Technology can enhance productivity, but it cannot replace the value of physical spaces in creating culture, fostering collaboration and building meaningful relationships with both staff and customers.

The environments businesses occupy have become increasingly important as an expression of brand identity and organisational values. Whether it’s a headquarters, a creative workspace or a city centre office, the physical workplace tells a story that technology alone cannot. In an AI-driven world, I believe place will become more important, not less.

The evidence increasingly supports this view. Recent research has shown that Nottingham has one of the UK’s most office-based workforces, with 59% of workers spending five days a week in the office, compared with a national average of 49%. While many employees appreciate the flexibility of home working, the benefits they associate with office environments remain compelling: collaboration with colleagues, stronger connections to company culture and access to a dedicated professional environment.

What’s particularly interesting is that the reasons people value office working are fundamentally human. More than half of respondents identified interaction and camaraderie with colleagues as the biggest attraction of office life. Nearly 80% said they feel most connected to their teams when they are physically together. These are experiences that cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence or digital platforms.

At the same time, employee expectations of office space have changed dramatically. Younger generations, in particular, are demanding more from their workplaces than ever before. People increasingly expect high-quality environments, excellent amenities, flexible layouts and spaces that support wellbeing, collaboration and creativity. Research suggests that employees are willing to travel longer distances to access offices that meet these expectations.

For landlords and investors, this presents a significant opportunity. The office market is not disappearing; it is evolving. The challenge is to recognise that outdated, underinvested stock will struggle, while well-designed, thoughtfully managed and amenity-rich buildings will continue to attract occupiers and command strong demand.

As we move further into the AI era, businesses will continue to seek spaces that enable genuine human interaction, reinforce organisational culture and provide experiences that cannot be replicated through a screen. Those landlords who are willing to invest in upgrading their assets, understanding occupier needs and creating environments where people genuinely want to spend time will be well positioned for the future.

The office sector has always adapted to changing patterns of work. I firmly believe that its future remains extremely positive, provided we continue to invest in creating workplaces that put people, connection and experience at their heart.