AI Tops 300 Years of Office Innovation Report

The report, released by International Workplace Group, surveyed business leaders on how the workplace has evolved since the opening of London’s Old Admiralty Building in 1726, considered the world’s first purpose-built office.

According to the findings, AI was ranked the most important workplace innovation, selected by 36 per cent of CEOs. It was followed by laptops and tablets at 35 per cent, video calling and conferencing at 31 per cent, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at 29 per cent, and hybrid working at 26 per cent.

The report said CEOs view the current technology-led transformation as one of the most significant shifts in office history. Hybrid working was identified as a defining change in how and where people work, while 35 per cent of CEOs said technology has made it easier for employees to work from anywhere.

In India, the shift is reflected in the growth of flexible workspaces and Global Capability Centres. The report cited JLL data showing that flexible workspaces and GCCs accounted for 21.5 per cent and 37.7 per cent, respectively, of full-year leasing in 2025, when India recorded 83.3 million sq ft of gross office leasing.

Mark Dixon, CEO and Founder of IWG, said AI represents the most significant shift in workplace life since the modern office emerged, reshaping how, where and why people work.