The impact of AI on the built environment: three considerations for hospitals integrating new technology

The opportunities AI brings to healthcare are exciting. But all the conversations seem to be about the what and why, not the how.

AI is inevitable. More and more healthcare professionals are embracing AI. A recent study of healthcare professionals found that over 80% of respondents want AI in their workflow.

So let’s talk about the how. How are the considerations hospital design teams will need to discuss shaping the planning of future healthcare facilities? While there are many considerations, these are the top three things organizations can begin to think about as they plan for the future.

1. Technology infrastructure will need more space.
2. The infrastructure will be more expensive, are healthcare facilities prepared to justify the costs?
3. How will AI integrate with current building systems?

Adequate space planning

All the data AI will collect from devices across a hospital will have to be stored somewhere, or at the very least have a pathway to be transmitted to a research facility or data center. With the additional data comes the need for additional space.

Technology rooms in hospitals will get bigger. IDF, MDF, and BDFs will all need increased square footage to accommodate more switches, cabling, and different kinds of cabling.

All this equipment will need increased power and cooling as well. As technology rooms require more space, power, and cooling, regulatory agencies, such as HCAi in California, have focused their attention on technology rooms in hospitals, updating the California Building and Mechanical codes to require redundant cooling in primary technology rooms and minimum technology room sizes for all spaces.

Many of the AI technology trends are also pointing to more mobile devices such as mobile CT stations and delivery robots. While these devices may decrease the need for a permanent CT room, they will need a space to be serviced, have multiple places for connectivity, and have space to be moved to the side in emergency situations.

Close coordination between owners, architects, and technology consultants on the space requirements will be crucial in designing hospitals for the future of AI.

Justify the cost early on

Bigger technology rooms won’t be the only cost consideration as hospitals begin thinking about the backbone of their AI infrastructure.  The cable pathways throughout the building will need to be increased in size to accommodate additional cables for new devices, which will require larger cable trays in some areas, and in others replacing J-Hooks with cable trays.  Additional fire-stopping devices will also be required due to the increased cabling. Another additional cost may be the need for running devices on private LTE or 5G networks. A hospitals WiFi could get overloaded if you have AI devices, standard computers, and patient’s personal devices all trying to transmit data simultaneously.

AI may have the potential to save money in areas by making operations more streamlined, but upfront, there will be infrastructure costs hospitals will need to justify as they plan for the future.

Integrate existing infrastructure

How will AI devices and software integrate into existing building systems? As hospitals plan for the future, this is something they should explore in depth.

For instance, will AI facial recognition software allow the facility to use less cameras for security? On top of identifying threats, can it be utilized for access control or be used to study trends? Will ambient listening devices be installed in the ceilings, walls, or TVs in patient rooms?

All of these potential opportunities will need coordination with technology consultants to ensure the facility is procuring the right hardware to meet their wanted AI capabilities.

But in a fast-changing environment like AI development, how will organizations know what tech they will and won’t need? By utilizing techniques such as Last Responsible Moment, design teams can give owners and stakeholders enough time to determine what is beneficial and budget accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Integrating AI into healthcare facilities is not just a technological advancement; it's a transformative opportunity that requires thoughtful space planning and strategic investment. As hospitals adapt to the evolving landscape, prioritizing technology infrastructure design will be critical to accommodate the increased demands of AI. By justifying costs early and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, healthcare organizations can create environments that not only enhance patient care but also support the future of healthcare technology. Embracing these considerations will ultimately lead to more efficient, innovative, and patient-centered facilities.

If you’d like to learn more about how to get your facility ready for AI, reach out to one of our healthcare technology leaders.