HE Future Foundations 2026 to examine technology, data and AI in housing
Technology, data and innovation will take centre stage in Zone Two at Future Foundations 2026, with four panels exploring how digital tools can improve the management, maintenance and delivery of social housing.
The event is due to be held in Bolton on the 6th October 2026, and will bring together sector leaders of the housing and maintenance spaces.
Curated by Stewart Davison, founder of Elehan Consulting and the PropTech Peer Group, the Zone Two programme will bring together housing professionals, technology specialists and suppliers to examine practical applications of digital technology across the sector.
For construction and property professionals, the sessions will explore issues ranging from predictive repairs and energy monitoring to artificial intelligence, data management and the barriers preventing technology from moving beyond pilot projects.
From technology pilots to practical delivery
The first panel will examine the potential role of smaller technology SMEs in the housing sector, including whether specialist suppliers can offer greater flexibility and closer collaboration than larger technology providers.
The discussion will consider how housing organisations can work with technology companies to address specific operational challenges, with a focus on practical outcomes rather than individual products.
The second panel will look at what the programme describes as “pilot paralysis”, exploring why technologies that demonstrate potential during testing can struggle to progress into wider implementation.
Applications including predictive repairs, energy monitoring and tenancy sustainment analytics will be examined, alongside the procurement, risk and implementation barriers that can prevent successful trials from being rolled out across housing portfolios.
AI, repairs and the future of frontline services
AI will form a key part of the third panel, which will examine how technology could support housing professionals while maintaining the human element of resident services.
READ MORE: Can the traditional housing development model survive?
Ian Cresswell, Director of Technology at Magenta Living, will join the discussion alongside speakers representing housing, frontline services and technology.
One example of technology already being used in frontline housing services is Magenta Living’s use of live video feeds, allowing repairs operatives to view issues through a tenant’s smartphone before attending a property.
The panel will consider how AI and other digital tools could reduce administrative workloads and help housing professionals spend more time on resident-facing work.
Data remains a barrier to digital transformation
The final Zone Two panel will focus on the data infrastructure underpinning digital transformation.
The discussion will examine how poor-quality or fragmented data can create problems for AI, analytics and systems integration, as well as the steps housing providers can take to improve their data management.
For organisations managing large property portfolios, the quality and accessibility of asset and property data can have a direct bearing on the effectiveness of digital tools used for maintenance, compliance, energy management and other housing services.
Rather than waiting for a fully integrated data estate, the panel will consider practical steps providers can take to address existing data issues and create stronger foundations for future technology projects.
Four sessions focused on digital delivery
Across the four panels, Zone Two will examine the practical challenges of adopting technology across housing, from working with specialist suppliers and moving projects beyond the pilot stage to applying AI and improving the data that supports digital systems.
Each session will also be followed by dedicated collaboration time, allowing delegates to continue discussions with speakers and other attendees.
Future Foundations 2026 takes place on Tuesday 6 October at Bolton Wanderers Football Club, with Zone Two running alongside the Governance & Resilience and People, Homes & Communities zones.
View the full Future Foundations 2026 agenda: https://www.housingexecutive.co.uk/agenda26/
Register to attend: https://www.housingexecutive.co.uk/attend26/
