At the 2026 Flexible Space Association conference, one of the standout discussions focused on a topic that seems to follow us everywhere right now: artificial intelligence.
The session, AI in Flex: Practical Steps for Strategic Adoption, featured Zoë Webster, an independent AI consultant and former AI Director at BT Group, who shared a practical perspective on what AI adoption really looks like for businesses, beyond the headlines and hype.
For companies operating in flexible workspace, it raised an interesting point: AI may feel like a technology issue, but in reality, it’s becoming a workplace issue too.
It Starts With Business Goals, Not Technology
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that many businesses feel pressure to “do something” with AI, but fewer are clear on why.
Rather than adopting tools for the sake of keeping up, Webster stressed that organisations should start with the same question they would for any major business decision: what problem are we actually trying to solve?
That could mean improving customer service, reducing admin, creating better marketing content, or helping teams work more efficiently. The technology itself is secondary; the goal comes first.
For businesses based in flexible workspace environments, that’s especially relevant. Many SMEs and growing teams are already experimenting with AI tools for day to day tasks, from content creation to customer support. The challenge is often less about access, and more about knowing how to use those tools meaningfully.
The Workplace Has A Role to Play
As AI becomes more embedded in everyday work, the physical environment matters more than people might expect.
The conversation around AI often focuses on software, but adoption also depends on people having the space to collaborate, test ideas, and learn from one another. That’s something the flexible workspace model naturally supports.
At FigFlex, we see businesses of all sizes working side by side, from start ups trying out new tools to established teams rethinking processes. Shared environments create natural opportunities for those conversations to happen, whether that’s over coffee in a breakout space or during community events in the building.
Sometimes innovation doesn’t come from a formal strategy session. It comes from hearing how someone else solved a problem.
AI Literacy May Matter More Than AI Tools
Another strong point raised during the panel was the importance of AI literacy.
That doesn’t mean everyone in a business needs to become a technical expert. It means helping teams understand what AI is good at, where it falls short, and how to use it responsibly.
Interestingly, Webster suggested that some of the best ideas often come from operational teams rather than leadership, because they understand where the real bottlenecks are. The people closest to everyday processes are often the first to spot where automation or AI could save time.
That feels particularly relevant in flexible workspace communities, where businesses are often lean, agile and quick to trial new ways of working.
The Future Of Work is Still Human
For all the excitement around AI, one theme came through clearly: the future of work is not about replacing people. It’s about enabling them.
Technology may speed up processes, but creativity, critical thinking and collaboration remain the real drivers of progress, and those are deeply human qualities.
As more businesses adopt AI into their workflows, the spaces they work from will need to support that shift: not just with fast internet and meeting rooms, but with communities that encourage learning, adaptability and shared ideas.
Flexible workspace has always been about giving businesses room to grow. Increasingly, that includes giving them room to evolve with technology too.
