Reflections from MIPIM 2025

Now that the dust has settled from MIPIM 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the key insights and conversations that are still shaping the commercial real estate and tech landscape. Brian Coogan, Director of Smart Buildings at Ethos Engineering shares his thoughts from this year's event.

Attending MIPIM 2025 in my dual capacity as Digital Director at Ethos Engineering and leader of the First Q Smart Buildings Working Group has been an eye-opener. One recurring theme: despite sharing a common language, professionals across real estate, tech, architecture, and development often struggle to communicate effectively. This challenge is even more apparent as AI becomes increasingly central to our industry.

While AI itself isn’t new, its integration into daily operations driven by big data and cloud computing highlights a critical need for strategic collaboration. To truly leverage AI, we must rethink how we plan and deliver projects, ensuring our data strategies are robust and well-defined.

Here are my key reflections from MIPIM 2025:

Ireland at MIPIM: It’s clear that Ireland Inc. is underrepresented compared to other European countries. We’re missing an opportunity to showcase Ireland’s dynamic business environment on the global stage.

Commercial Real Estate: Optimism around a rebound by 2026/2027 was palpable, but a critical issue remains: how to genuinely convince employees to return to the office. Current RTO strategies often feel more about justifying real estate investments than addressing modern workforce needs.

AI and Data: AI solutions are only as good as the data that feeds them.

At MIPIM, it was evident that the real value of AI in commercial real estate lies not just in tech adoption but in creating comprehensive data strategies.

Technology Utilisation: We already have the tools to address many current challenges. The focus should shift from chasing new tech to optimising existing solutions.

Domain Expertise: AI’s true potential lies in blending technology with deep engineering knowledge. The First Q Network expert series reinforced this, showing that integrating AI into building operations requires aligning technology with real-world expertise.

Let's continue the conversation, connect with Brian Coogan to explore how we can support your digital transformation journey. For more insights, visit our website and discover how we're helping shape the future of smart buildings.