Cushman & Wakefield has added two artificial intelligence (AI) focused indicators to its 2026 assessment of flexible office market maturity across EMEA.
The new measures form part of the company’s Global Trends in Flexible Office 2026 report and are designed to assess the role flexible workspace is playing in the growth of the AI sector alongside the existing market indicators.
The wider assessment considers factors including flexible office supply, occupier demand, operator ecosystems, operating models, landlord participation and market transparency.
Cushman & Wakefield says the addition of the AI-focused metrics reflects the increasing importance of technology-sector demand within flexible workspace markets.
The UK and France remained the two highest-ranked EMEA markets for a second consecutive year, recording maturity scores of 94% and 92% respectively. The UK improved slightly year on year, while France recorded a modest decline.
The Netherlands rose to 82%, while the UAE increased to 77%, with both markets recording some of the strongest improvements in the region.
The report also identifies India, Ireland, the UAE, the UK and the US as markets that have already developed mature AI ecosystems within the flexible office sector.
Cushman & Wakefield says AI firms can create distinctive real estate requirements because they often expand rapidly and frequently maintain office-first working cultures. Flexible workspace can therefore provide a way for companies to increase space quickly without taking on the longer commitments associated with conventional leases.
The firm says growing AI-sector activity is now becoming visible within flexible office maturity scores, reflecting a closer relationship between technology ecosystems and demand for adaptable workspace.
