THOMAS KIESSLING
SUSTAINABILITY
When I think about the future of infrastructure, I often imagine what it feels like to walk into a building that already understands me: the temperature is tuned to the number of people in the room, the lighting adapts to the task at hand and the building itself is aware of weather patterns and energy demand, making changes before I even notice the need.
We are at a moment when ambition is translating into action. According to the Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 report, 54 % of respondents indicate that they are ready to implement autonomous building systems and more than half plan to make significant investments in these systems in the year ahead. These figures reflect a clear recognition that buildings must evolve, not only to improve efficiency but to respond to the complex pressures facing owners, operators and occupants alike.
From smart to truly autonomous An autonomous building does more than react. It learns, predicts and adapts. It integrates data from weather feeds, occupancy sensors, energy grids and security systems and uses advanced analytics to orchestrate responses. It continuously optimises itself, creating environments that adapt to human needs rather than forcing humans to adapt to the limitations of the building. From predictive maintenance that resolves faults before they impact operations to security systems that detect anomalies in real time, the value of a truly autonomous building lies in intelligence that acts before disruption occurs.
This vision becomes even more compelling in mission-critical environments. In a hospital operating theatre, the building maintains precise air pressure, humidity and temperature, knowing that even slight deviations can put lives at risk. In research laboratories, it ensures that sensitive experiments remain protected from environmental fluctuations that could compromise years of work. In both cases, autonomy safeguards not only efficiency but outcomes that matter deeply to society.
This kind of responsiveness is only possible when multiple technologies work together. Data from IoT devices, building automation systems and cloud platforms is aggregated and analysed
THOMAS KIESSLING
TITLE: CTO
COMPANY: SIEMENS SMART INFRASTRUCTURE
INDUSTRY: ENERGY
Thomas is CTO at Siemens Smart Infrastructure and a serial tech entrepreneur focused on clean tech, IoT, AI and smart buildings. He has led innovation across energy, mobility and digital infrastructure.
138 May 2026