FM sector forecasts 20%+ productivity gains from AI by 2030 

Bidvest Noonan has published new research revealing near-universal confidence in AI’s potential to transform the industry, yet fewer than two in five FM organisations have deployed it.

Based on a survey of 110 FM decision-makers, the findings show that 95 per cent of FM leaders expect AI to deliver productivity gains of at least 10 per cent by 2030, with more than half (56 per cent) expecting productivity gains of 20 per cent or more, while one in 10 forecasts improvements exceeding 30 per cent. This highlights a sector setting bold targets even as adoption remains in its early stages.

Confidence is highest among those managing the largest operations. Seven in 10 leaders overseeing estates of more than 500,000 sq ft expect AI to deliver productivity gains of 20 per cent or higher, and not a single respondent in this group anticipates gains of less than 10 per cent.

This reflects a broader pattern in the data: larger FM operations are investing in the sensors, IoT and data platforms needed to scale AI effectively.

Phil Darcy, Head of Data & Emerging Technology at Bidvest Noonan, said: “The productivity numbers don’t surprise us. What we’re seeing across the sector is that organisations with the right data foundations are already pulling ahead. The gap between those who’ve invested in sensors, IoT and integration capability and those who haven’t is only going to widen as AI matures.”

Despite the high expectations, current AI adoption levels are mixed. Just 37 per cent of FM organisations have already deployed AI-powered productivity tools, while 45 per cent are in the consideration or pilot phase. A further 18 per cent consider AI not currently relevant to their operations, which may reflect uncertainty about where to start.

Autonomous service robots are also gaining traction: 12 per cent of decision-makers have already deployed them, while 54 per cent are actively considering or piloting the technology to augment the work of employees. Among larger estate managers, that figure rises to 57 per cent.

AI-powered software productivity ranks as a top-three investment priority for 43 per cent of all respondents over the next 12-24 months. The picture varies by estate size: 60 per cent of smaller estate managers prioritise AI, while larger organisations (already investing in data infrastructure) place it at 30 per cent, suggesting a phased approach to adoption.

Applications under exploration include predictive maintenance, energy optimisation, space planning, security monitoring and tools such as Microsoft Copilot.

Olga Mitropoulou, Director of Risk & Compliance at Bidvest Noonan commented: “Confidence in AI is high, and rightly so. However, the real differentiator is execution. The organisations that will deliver the greatest value from AI implementation are those that have done the groundwork: established clear metrics, secured leadership buy-in and put a structured plan in place to bring their people with them. That is the fundamental work required to truly realise the benefits of any AI solution.”

According to Bidvest Noonan, the research suggests the FM sector is moving from curiosity to action on AI. With 95 per cent of leaders expecting meaningful productivity returns and nearly half already in pilot or consideration phases, the conditions for rapid adoption are in place. Those that pair investment with clear metrics, leadership support and effective change management will be best positioned to turn forecasts into measurable results.

Bidvest Noonan’s full FM Technology Investment Survey report, From Intent to Impact: FM Technology Investment in the UK and Ireland, 2026, is available to download here.