Are AI agents about to transform how our buildings work? In this conversation with smart building expert Elisa Rönkä, we explore how agentic AI could revolutionize the PropTech ecosystem.
This isn’t just another AI hype video — it’s a practical discussion about how the smart building industry might navigate a huge transformation in technology. We discuss:
- Why agentic AI is fundamentally different from tools like ChatGPT.
- How 70% of SaaS applications could be disrupted by AI agents.
- The end of dashboards as we know them.
- Why implementation costs could plummet, accelerating smart building adoption.
- The coming “agent-human hybrid” workflows that will transform building operations.
In our Podcast series “Sh*t You Wish Your Building Did!”, Memoori explores the intersection between technology and commercial buildings through interesting conversations. Don’t forget you can now subscribe to our Podcasts on Soundcloud, iTunes, YouTube, and Spotify.
Software Ate The World… What Will AI Agents Devour? Summary
What Makes Agentic AI Different
Agentic AI systems independently execute entire workflows and tasks without human intervention, unlike current AI tools that require human prompting and interaction.
“Agents are replacing tasks and workflows that humans have been doing,” Elisa explained. “These tasks are executed independently and proactively by agents working towards outcomes themselves and learning along the way.”
Disruption of SaaS Business Models
AI agents will transform commercial models for building technology, particularly in the building management sector. The value proposition will shift from “access to a tool” to the actual results delivered by AI, reshaping how building technology is priced and sold.
“With agentic AI, we’ll focus more on the outcome achieved because these agents will automate workflows within the software,” noted Elisa.
Lowering Implementation Barriers
High upfront costs have traditionally created significant barriers to smart building technology adoption. AI agents can reduce these implementation costs, making smart building solutions more accessible.
“If onboarding cost can be done more efficiently, the price point has to go down for customers. That means the threshold to adopt new technology goes down, accelerating the adoption of smartness in buildings.”
Transformation of the Value Chain
Building service providers will need to redefine their roles as AI agents takes over standardized tasks. Elisa envisions an “agent-human hybrid grid” where each is utilized for their respective strengths – humans for judgment and interpersonal skills, AI for data processing and standardized workflows.
Data Platforms as Critical Infrastructure
Unified building data platforms will become foundational infrastructure for effective AI implementation.
“You need access to standardized, context-aware data so agents can perform tasks efficiently. It will be less about having interoperable apps for humans and more about agents accessing data and performing cross-pollination better than humans can.”
This represents a shift from human-focused dashboards to structured data environments where AI agents make and execute decisions.
User Experience Evolution
User interfaces will evolve to facilitate human-agent interaction rather than human-dashboard interaction.
“UX will move into how we give tasks from agents to humans because humans will have a different role in the workflow,” Elisa said. While interfaces will still be needed for oversight, the days of switching between multiple apps to gather building information may soon end.
Near-Term Developments (2-3 Years)
Three key developments expected in the near term:
- Shift toward outcome-based pricing models.
- Progression from AI co-pilots to task automation to complex workflow automation.
- Increased importance of smart building platforms and standardized data.
Strategic Implications
“Everyone who works in our industry should redefine their purpose,” Elisa emphasized. “How can I leverage human strengths and remain relevant?”
She warned that resistance to these changes might simply create opportunities for new players to enter the industry: “If we as an industry keep resisting and not seeing it as an opportunity, someone else will come in and see it as an opportunity.”
