NEW YORK, February 2026 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) today announced the launch of its AI Impact Barometer, the commercial real estate industry’s first structured model designed to quantify artificial intelligence momentum across the built environment.
The landmark research tool provides investors, occupiers and developers with a data-driven framework to assess how AI is reshaping global economic activity — and how those changes translate into demand, risk and opportunity across property markets.
A Data-Driven View of AI’s Structural Impact
Developed by Cushman & Wakefield’s Think Tank, the AI Impact Barometer aggregates a broad range of economic, capital markets and property-level indicators to measure how AI adoption is transitioning from experimental deployment to core enterprise infrastructure.
“AI is no longer a future concept. It is becoming a structural force in the economy,” said Kevin Thorpe, Global Chief Economist at Cushman & Wakefield. “Our AI Impact Barometer is designed to cut through the noise and give clients a clear, data-driven way to see where AI is driving growth, where it is creating pressure, and how those forces are showing up in the built environment.”
Rather than relying on a single data point, the model clusters indicators into defined themes, including:
- AI adoption rates
- Capital investment flows
- Labor market shifts
- Infrastructure and power demand
These inputs are synthesized into proprietary AI momentum scores, which quantify both the direction and intensity of AI’s influence across asset classes and geographies.
Early Insights Across Key Property Sectors
Initial findings from the AI Impact Barometer commercial real estate model highlight several structural trends:
Data Centers
Pre-commitment rates for projects under construction remain positive, even as new capital flows accelerate into the sector. This suggests continued resilience in AI-driven infrastructure demand.
Industrial & Logistics
Bulk distribution centers developed since 2020 typically feature more than 20% higher electrical supply per square foot compared to legacy assets. These specifications position newer facilities to benefit disproportionately from warehouse automation and AI-enabled logistics systems.
Office Markets
AI is amplifying existing polarization trends. Prime office assets in technology innovation hubs are seeing improved leasing and investment activity, while obsolescence risk is increasing for lower-quality buildings lacking technological adaptability.
Overall, the research underscores that while AI is emerging as a long-term demand engine, its impact is uneven across sectors and asset classes.
A Broader 2026 Research Initiative
The AI Impact Barometer represents the first phase of a multi-pronged research initiative from Cushman & Wakefield. The firm plans to update the model regularly and publish additional thought leadership throughout 2026, providing ongoing clarity on how AI is influencing capital allocation and real estate strategy.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global commercial real estate services firm serving occupiers and investors. The company employs approximately 53,000 professionals across more than 350 offices in nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines: Services, Leasing, Capital Markets, and Valuation.
For more information, visit: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com
