Realcomm Events

“I’m excited for the BuildingsAI event as it will highlight the real impact that AI is starting to have on CRE companies. The potential is clear, so this will be the place to learn, engage, share use cases, and see the disruptive impact AI is having up close.” — Stuart Appley, Founder at Bay Tech Advisors

ABOUT BUILDINGSAI

AI is no longer on the horizon; it is already transforming how commercial real estate is managed, operated, and optimized. From intelligent automation and predictive maintenance to data-driven decision-making and advanced cybersecurity, AI is reshaping both IT and OT systems across the built environment.

With a long-standing reputation for thought leadership at the intersection of technology and real estate, Realcomm has been a pioneer in exploring AI’s role in the built environment. Recognized as a leading voice in AI education for the CRE industry, Realcomm continues to deliver clarity, depth, and actionable insight in a space often clouded by buzzwords and speculation.

EDUCATION PROGRAM

Event Sessions (Subject to change without notice)

8:30 am – 9:05 am AI in Motion: Making Sense of Rapid Change and What It Means for Real Estate

Artificial intelligence is advancing at a pace that is faster than any previous technology in history. This session opens the day by grounding participants in the broader AI landscape, from headline-making developments to the specific ways AI is reshaping real estate. Attendees will gain clarity on the different layers and definitions of AI while learning practical strategies for staying current through working groups, podcasts, and curated resources. The discussion sets the stage with a roadmap for navigating rapid change.

Speakers:

Jim Young
Realcomm (moderator)

Joe Stokes
CBRE

Yael Urman
Silverstein

Alex Wolkomir
McKinsey

9:05 am – 9:20 am AI Benchmark Survey Results: Where CRE Stands Today

This session reveals the latest benchmark survey results, offering a snapshot of how far the industry has come and where the biggest opportunities still lie. Attendees will gain insights into adoption trends, areas of investment, and emerging challenges, providing context for the sessions that follow. The findings offer a baseline for organizations to assess their own maturity against peers.

Speakers:

Jim Young
Realcomm

Howard Berger
Realcomm

9:20 am – 9:35 am Reimagining Real Estate: How AI is Reshaping the CRE Landscape

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, and commercial real estate is no exception. This session explores how the sector is adopting and adapting to this technology revolution. The presenter will highlight key developments in AI, from hardware and LLMs to operational use cases driving efficiency and investment insight. Discover how leaders are addressing industry and tool fragmentation, strengthening data foundations, and reimagining workflows to unlock meaningful value from AI across the CRE ecosystem.

Speakers:

Stuart Appley
Bay Tech Advisors

9:35 am – 10:15 am Data: The Fuel for AI in Real Estate

Data is the single most important factor in determining whether an AI initiative succeeds or fails. This session focuses on unlocking siloed data sources in CRE and building AI-ready pipelines supported by governance frameworks. Practical guidance will be shared on integrating leases, financials, IoT/BMS systems, and tenant experience data into scalable architectures. Participants will learn how to transform raw data into actionable insights, creating the foundation for AI models that deliver measurable business outcomes.

Speakers:

Vijay Anand
MRI Software

Stuart Appley
Bay Tech Advisors

Denis Cekic
Empire State Realty Trust

Darlene Pope
Brava Systems

10:15 am – 10:40 am Building an Enterprise AI Strategy: From Experiments to Scalable Platforms

More than 80% of AI projects stall at the pilot stage, never achieving enterprise-wide impact. This session explores strategies to break through that barrier by developing roadmaps, infrastructure, and organizational readiness for scaling AI. Attendees will learn approaches for embedding AI as a core business capability, including change management practices, governance structures, and platform design. Real-world examples will illustrate how organizations can move beyond experiments to establish AI as a durable driver of value across the portfolio.

Speaker:

Justin Segal
Boxer Property

10:40 am – 11:00 am Networking Break

Take a moment to connect with peers, exchange insights, and build new relationships during our networking break. Enjoy refreshments and meaningful conversations that spark collaboration and new ideas for the sessions ahead.

11:00 am – 11:20 am Securing AI-Driven Organizations: IT & OT Cybersecurity Convergence

As AI becomes embedded in building systems, financial platforms, and access controls, the convergence of IT and OT cybersecurity is no longer optional. This session highlights best practices for securing AI-driven organizations, including model protection, data pipeline safeguards, and physical-digital system integration. Attendees will gain strategies for managing risks across HVAC, tenant systems, and enterprise platforms while supporting innovation. The discussion provides practical tools for aligning cybersecurity with the realities of AI adoption in the built environment.

Speakers:

Mona Ghadiri
Capgemini

11:20 am – 12:05 pm Rapid Case Study Showcase Part 1: How is AI Driving Value in RE Today

The real estate industry is increasingly turning to AI to optimize operations, improve tenant experiences, and uncover new sources of value. This high-energy session features lightning talks from leading organizations that are already applying AI in meaningful ways. Attendees will hear practical case studies spanning areas such as predictive maintenance, financial modeling, and smart building management. Each example demonstrates tangible business results, offering inspiration and lessons learned for organizations seeking to accelerate their own AI journey.

Speakers:

Mike Hillier
Related

Emiel Bril
VendorPM

Scott Evans
TechTech Group

Marcel Marra
QuadReal

12:05 pm – 12:45 pm Understanding Google's Potential in AI and its Relationship with the Real Estate Industry

Google has been at the forefront of AI research and application for decades, from developing large-scale machine learning models to integrating AI into everyday tools. In this session, Google presents its latest perspectives on the role of AI in transforming industries, with an emphasis on the opportunities in commercial real estate. Attendees can expect to gain insights into cutting-edge developments, practical applications, and the company’s evolving vision for AI-powered solutions in the built environment.

Speakers:

Sergio Rego
Google

Ray Zamagni
Google

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm Networking Lunch

Refuel and recharge over lunch while connecting with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting. This is a great opportunity to share insights, continue discussions, and expand your professional network before the next session.

1:30 pm – 1:50 pm What Should Commercial Real Estate Know About Microsoft’s AI Strategy?

Microsoft has emerged as one of the most influential players in AI, integrating advanced models into tools used by millions of organizations worldwide. This session offers an insider look at Microsoft’s AI strategy and its relevance for the commercial real estate sector. Attendees will learn about key capabilities, from Copilot features to Azure-based AI services, and how they can be applied to industry challenges. The presentation provides a roadmap for leveraging Microsoft’s ecosystem to drive innovation and efficiency.

Speaker:

Ajoy Bhattacharya
Microsoft

1:50 pm – 2:20 pm Achieving Extraordinary Results with Agentic AI

Agentic AI represents a shift toward systems that can take initiative, solve problems autonomously, and drive outcomes with minimal human oversight. This session dives into real-world case studies that showcase how agentic AI is being applied in practice. Attendees will learn about use cases in operations, customer service, and predictive analytics, gaining a deeper understanding of the potential and limitations of these tools. The discussion highlights how organizations can responsibly experiment with agentic AI to achieve outsized results.

Speaker:

Niraj Patel
Ulysses Management

2:20 pm – 3:05 pm Rapid Case Study Showcase Part 2: How is AI Driving Value in RE Today

The real estate industry is increasingly turning to AI to optimize operations, improve tenant experiences, and uncover new sources of value. This high-energy session features lightning talks from leading organizations that are already applying AI in meaningful ways. Attendees will hear practical case studies spanning areas such as predictive maintenance, financial modeling, and smart building management. Each example demonstrates tangible business results, offering inspiration and lessons learned for organizations seeking to accelerate their own AI journey.

Speaker:

Gary Bailey
Phillips Edison & Company

Denis Cekic
Empire State Realty Trust

Justin Segal
Boxer Property

Joseph Martino
Primaris REIT

3:05 pm – 3:20 pm AI’s Bitter Lesson for Smart Buildings: The Shift from Rules to Learning

AI systems now outperform humans by learning from data, not by following hand-coded rules. This session examines Richard Sutton’s “Bitter Lesson” and the rise of AI world models to reveal why scalable learning will define the future of smart buildings and careers. By contrasting rules-based practices with emerging agent-driven optimization, the talk outlines key industry impacts, data readiness, governance, retrofit strategies, and KPIs, and the shifting roles of engineers, integrators, and leaders. Attendees will gain clarity on where to upskill, which building strategies to prioritize, and how to create value as intelligent agents take on more of the work once done by humans.

Speaker:

Stuart Feilden
Siemens

3:20 pm – 3:55 pm AI Adoption in CRE: Build, Buy, and Decision Frameworks

The decision to build, buy, or partner for AI capabilities can make or break long-term success in adoption. This session equips CRE leaders with practical frameworks to evaluate these choices, from weighing platform investments to assessing point solutions. Attendees will also explore how to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of large language models and AI tools. Through examples and peer discussion, participants will walk away with actionable guidance on making smarter adoption decisions that fit their organization’s needs.

Speaker:

Edward Hinchey
Fisher Brothers

Devang Amin
COPT Defense Properties

Greg Carey
RMR

Mili Popat
Tishman Speyer

Goutham Vulpala
Phillips Edison & Company

3:55 pm – 4:15 pm Networking Break

Take a moment to connect with peers, exchange insights, and build new relationships during our networking break. Enjoy refreshments and meaningful conversations that spark collaboration and new ideas for the sessions ahead.

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm Intelligent Autonomy in the Built Environment

Autonomous buildings are the next evolution of the built environment, using AI, IoT sensors, and automation to think, learn, and act independently. They adapt to occupancy, weather, and energy demands in real time, reducing waste and improving comfort and sustainability. This presentation explores how autonomy transforms conventional structures into intelligent, self-managing ecosystems that optimize performance, lower costs, and create dynamic, responsive spaces designed for the future of efficient and sustainable living.

Speaker:

Akram Khalis
MHT Technologies

4:30 pm – 4:55 pm Open Forum Discussion: Unlocking Agentic AI Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate

Agentic AI, which enables systems to reason, plan, and execute tasks autonomously, is transforming commercial real estate through intelligent decision-making and adaptive automation. This open forum examines how to identify high-value applications such as predictive maintenance, dynamic energy management, and autonomous leasing. Participants will explore structured methods for opportunity assessment, data readiness, and implementation pathways that align AI capabilities with operational, financial, and sustainability goals in the built environment.

4:50 pm – 5:20 pm Vision Panel: The Next Five Years of AI in the Built Environment

Over the next five years, AI is expected to redefine the built environment, driving innovations from predictive valuation to fully AI-native buildings. This forward-looking panel gathers industry visionaries to share their perspectives on what’s ahead. Topics will include multi-agent AI systems, generative copilots, and the evolving path toward automation and intelligence at scale. Attendees will leave with an informed view of emerging trends and closing guidance on how to prepare their organizations for the next phase of transformation.

Speaker:

Jim Young
Realcomm

Gary Bailey
Phillips Edison & Company

Joseph Martino
Primaris

David Silva
SmartCentres REIT

Misha Sulpovar
Cherre

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Networking Reception

Join us for a cocktail reception to close out the day and connect with industry colleagues.

Discover Why Buildings AI is Like No Other Event

Realcomm was among the first to spotlight the potential of AI in commercial real estate with its May 2016 article, “Artificial Intelligence and Buildings – What Does the Future Look Like.” That groundbreaking piece sparked a high-profile conversation with Wired senior reporter Cade Metz during the Realcomm | IBcon’s General Session that year, igniting nearly a decade of leadership in exploring how AI reshapes the built environment.

While AI has a long history (see timeline below), Realcomm has been translating it into practical solutions for smarter, more efficient buildings long before it became a headline topic. Leveraging this momentum, BuildingsAI has emerged as an event like no other – it shows how AI is transforming operations, decision-making, and tenant experiences right now.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Get ready for a dynamic day at the intersection of artificial intelligence and commercial real estate. BuildingsAI will bring together industry leaders, technology strategists, and innovators to explore how AI is transforming operations, investment planning, workplace strategy, and more. Expect a full agenda of insight, interaction, and inspiration.

• Strategic insights from AI leaders redefining enterprise IT, building operations, and portfolio optimization
• Real-world use cases shared in rapid-fire case studies, interactive panels, and agentic AI demos
• Executive-level conversations on scaling AI, securing organizational buy-in, and navigating enterprise change
• Breakouts on critical topics like AI governance, data strategy, systems integration, and vendor selection
• A curated showcase of emerging solutions from top AI providers shaping the future of the built environment

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Designed for building and portfolio leaders, technology executives, and innovators shaping the AI transformation of real estate. Key roles and responsibilities represented at BuildingsAI include:

Building & Portfolio Leadership
Owners, portfolio executives, asset managers, and facility leaders focused on optimizing performance, efficiency, and value through AI-driven strategies.

Technology & Innovation Leaders
CIOs, CTOs, IT directors, heads of innovation, and digital transformation leaders advancing AI adoption and system integration across the enterprise.

Data & AI Practitioners
Data scientists, AI strategists, analytics leaders, and operations teams developing and deploying AI solutions within smart building ecosystems.

EVENT LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

SPONSORS

We are looking for Technology Solution Providers who are actively involved in implementing AI/ML solutions for the commercial and/or corporate real estate industry and who are playing a key role in shaping the future of AI for the built environment.