Curing AI FOMO: A Guide to AI Sessions at IFMA World Workplace USA 2024

How attending IFMA conferences can help your AI FOMO issues.

Artificial IntelligenceEducationEventsFacilities Management

As facilities management professionals, we’re all too familiar with the rapid pace of technological advancement in our field. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been particularly transformative, leaving many of us with a case of AI FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve and deepen your understanding of AI in facilities management, the upcoming IFMA World Workplace conference in San Antonio, Texas, from October 7-11, 2024[i], offers an excellent opportunity. This year’s conference has made a significant pivot towards technology, particularly AI, mirroring the FM industry’s response to the 4th Industrial Revolution[ii].

Let’s explore the AI-focused sessions that promise to bring you up to speed and cure your AI FOMO.

Monday, October 7: Kick-off with Hands-on Learning

Start your conference experience with a deep dive into AI applications in FM:
AI in FM Boot Camp: A Practical Hands-on Workshop’ (4 hours) – This workshop is tailored specifically for facility managers eager to harness AI in their operations. You’ll get hands-on experience with AI platforms like ChatGPT and similar technologies, focusing on practical tools you can implement immediately.

Wednesday, October 9: Real-world AI Applications

The mid-week sessions delve into practical applications and case studies:
Redefining Readiness: How to Harness the Power of AI and Thrive in the Digital Age – This session explores real-life case studies and practical examples of AI revolutionizing processes like preventive maintenance, occupant experience, and energy management.

Thursday, October 10: AI Deep Dive

Thursday offers a trio of sessions covering various aspects of AI in FM:
1. Use of Artificial Intelligence in Facilities Management – Learn with Ryan Koppelman how generative AI technologies, including large laguage models (LLMs), predictive algorithms, and IoT integration, are transforming key areas of FM.
2. “Genius Spark” – A discussion on AI and the Metaverse and their effects on Facility Management – Based on recently published books[iii] of Paul Doherty and Rex Miller, this session promises insights into the future of AI and the Metaverse in the built environment.
3. Redefining Readiness: How to Harness the Power of AI and Thrive in the Digital Age – A panel session with members of the IFMA AI Working Group, covering current AI implementation in FM technologies, AI principles and training resources, and prerequisites for AI integration. Launch of the new IFMA publication: ‘Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI’.

Friday, October 11: Strategic AI Implementation and Future Considerations

The conference concludes with forward-looking sessions on AI strategy and ethics:
1. Unlocking AI Potential: A Strategic Guide to Transforming Facilities Management and Corporate Real Estate – Lorrie Rowlandson of BGIS presents an ‘Innovator’s Playbook’ for identifying high impact use cases, designing adoption roadmaps, and aligning AI with organizational goals.
2. Revolutionize FM with AI: Crafting Next-Gen Employee Experience – Melissa Marsh, founder and CEO of PLASTARC, explores the transformative role of AI in enhancing user experience and operational efficiency in built environments, while addressing critical ethical considerations.

Beyond AI: Data Governance and Standards

While AI is a major focus, the conference also addresses crucial topics in data governance and standards. Of particular interest is the session on ISO 41001:
– ISO 41001 Navigator: Harnessing ISO Standards to elevate your FM Organization – This workshop will help you develop plans for certification or alignment with ISO 41001:2018, an international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an effective FM system.

The facilitator, Maureen Roskoski of FEA , is highly qualified to manage and deliver this workshop and I had the opportunity of talk with her on the design of the session. Here are the key points:

The session aims to help participants develop plans for certification or alignment, enhancing their FM performance and organizational prestige.
As a workshop format, it is designed to be hands-on and engaging, with a focus on practical application of the standard. Maureen emphasized the importance of demystifying the standard and helping participants articulate its benefits to their organizations.
The workshop will including learning activities and a useful workbook.

Whilst I acknowledge the numerous standards that relate to FM operations (see good article here on the subject[iv]), ISO 41001 is a good standard to establish the overarching organizational platform. Worth checking out.

Conclusion: Curing Your AI FOMO

By attending these sessions, you can gain over 10 hours of progressive AI learning, from bootcamp-style overviews to in-depth discussions of use cases, applications, and ethics. The IFMA World Workplace conference offers a comprehensive curriculum to help you understand and implement AI in your facilities management practices.

As the FM industry continues to evolve in response to the 4th Industrial Revolution, staying informed about AI and its applications is crucial. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to cure your AI FOMO and position yourself at the forefront of technological advancement in facilities management. Don’t miss this chance to learn and gain hands-on experience with the technologies shaping the future of our industry – plus lots of networking opportunities, of course. W&P

Posted by Marcus Bowen for Work&Place, October 2024

Author’s Postscript

After San Antonio, my next conference will be the CoreNet Global North America Summit in Washington DC, November 1-3. Work&Place are media partners for this event and I am aiming to publish a post event review. The current agenda is posted here.[v]