JLL Study: AI Expected to Augment Workforces, Not Replace Them — Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated

Event summary

60% of senior business leaders expect workforce growth due to AI, per JLL's 2026 Future of Work Survey.
15% of organizations have reached the optimization stage of AI adoption, while 46% are still monitoring trends.
Top barriers to AI adoption include skills gaps (36%), change management expertise (26%), and organizational silos (25%).
Productivity is now a key priority, with advanced technology support cited as critical for employee productivity.

The big picture

JLL's study highlights a strategic shift where AI is seen as a workforce augmenter rather than a job replacer. This aligns with broader industry trends of human-machine enhancement, but the gap between belief and action—driven by execution barriers and capability concerns—remains a critical challenge. The focus on productivity over cost optimization signals a fundamental change in how companies approach real estate and technology integration.

What we're watching

Adoption Pace: How quickly organizations move beyond monitoring and analysis to optimization phases of AI adoption.
Capability Building: Whether leading organizations can systematically resolve constraints before pursuing transformation.
Cost Management: The balance between transformation ambitions and budget realities, particularly in operational optimization and strategic outsourcing.