Week 23: AI Use Cases in CRE – 10 Ideas from PPP You Can Start Now

In this weekly series, we explore how the commercial real estate industry is being transformed by data and digital infrastructure. Guided by the principles in Peak Property Performance, we unpack a new idea every week to help owners unlock value, reduce risk, and future-proof their portfolios. Learn more about OpticWise and Bill Douglas, the authors of this series.

Artificial intelligence has taken center stage across nearly every industry—but most commercial real estate owners still see it as something on the horizon.

The truth? AI is already delivering results in CRE. But only when it’s paired with the right data and digital infrastructure (DDI).

In Peak Property Performance, we introduced a practical framework for AI adoption rooted in operational value, not hype. Below are ten real-world use cases owners can act on today, based on DDI readiness and asset type.

1. Predictive Maintenance

Reduce downtime by using AI to monitor patterns in HVAC, elevator, and mechanical systems. Alert your team before failure—not after it costs you.

2. Utility Optimization

Pair real-time energy consumption data with AI algorithms to identify anomalies, optimize baseloads, and minimize peak demand charges.

3. Tenant Sentiment Analysis

Mine work order notes, tenant communications, and review data to uncover friction points, satisfaction trends, or at-risk tenants.

4. Risk Scoring for Insurance

AI models can evaluate the frequency, severity, and detectability of historical issues—feeding into risk assessments that support premium discounts (as discussed last week).

5. Occupancy & Space Usage Forecasting

Use sensor data and historical traffic to predict how and when different zones are used. This supports dynamic cleaning, staffing, and energy decisions.

6. Anomaly Detection for Leak & Water Events

Train AI to recognize behavioral patterns in water flow data and alert on outliers—detecting leaks faster than a human could.

7. Portfolio Benchmarking & KPI Tracking

Normalize data across assets to create AI-driven dashboards that show asset-level or regional performance—and forecast where issues may arise.

8. Capital Planning & Equipment Lifecycle Management

Use AI to extend lifecycle modeling based on usage, climate, and maintenance records—rather than relying on static manufacturer guidance.

9. Automated Compliance Auditing

Let AI validate system status, pull data logs, and generate reports for ESG, fire, IAQ, and access control compliance—saving your team hours each month.

10. Smart Leasing Recommendations

Combine AI and leasing data to suggest the best suite pairings, timing, incentives, and tenant mixes to reduce friction and increase occupancy.

Start Where You Are, Not Where You Wish You Were

Not every building is ready for every use case. But every building can start by understanding its current level of DDI maturity.

The PPP Digital Infrastructure Review identifies gaps across six essential domains—giving owners a clear roadmap to make AI actionable.

Don’t wait for the industry to catch up. Let your building lead.

 

Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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