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<p>Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies as tools to enhance energy efficiency and regulatory compliance in buildings, limited research has examined how frontline implementers,&#xa0;including street-level bureaucrats,&#xa0;experience and interpret their adoption in practice, a perspective that is crucial for improving both technology adoption and policy implementation. This study investigates the implementers’ perceptions of carrying out these technologies in New York City’s building sector. Through a mixed-methods approach combining semi-structured interviews, surveys, and focus groups, we assess the perspectives from technology professionals, building operators&#xa0;and&#xa0;staff, and building occupants. Structural topic modeling (STM) of interview data reveals ten distinct topics (i.e., associated with different groups) categorized under four themes: perceived advantages, perceived disadvantages, energy efficiency, and decision-making within regulatory frameworks such as Local Law 97. Notably, it reveals a clear divide between operators’ practical concerns over aging infrastructure, the costs and the inclusiveness of decision-making processes, and professionals’ focus on regulatory compliance and the data-driven approach perceived as more unbiased. Findings from the surveys and focus groups suggest a generally positive orientation toward adoption of AI and robotics. This research expands street-level bureaucracy literature into the realm of technology adoption within energy governance and highlights how frontline workers’ discretion shapes the implementation of emerging technologies in the building sector, while offering practical guidance for designing inclusive and equitable AI and robotics adoption strategies that support climate policy goals.</p>

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Street-level bureaucrats’ perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics adoption: a mixed-methods study of New York City’s building sector

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月23日

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  • Yutong Si,
  • Antonella Dominique Fasulo,
  • Qian Li,
  • Chen Feng,
  • Diana Hernández

摘要

Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies as tools to enhance energy efficiency and regulatory compliance in buildings, limited research has examined how frontline implementers, including street-level bureaucrats, experience and interpret their adoption in practice, a perspective that is crucial for improving both technology adoption and policy implementation. This study investigates the implementers’ perceptions of carrying out these technologies in New York City’s building sector. Through a mixed-methods approach combining semi-structured interviews, surveys, and focus groups, we assess the perspectives from technology professionals, building operators and staff, and building occupants. Structural topic modeling (STM) of interview data reveals ten distinct topics (i.e., associated with different groups) categorized under four themes: perceived advantages, perceived disadvantages, energy efficiency, and decision-making within regulatory frameworks such as Local Law 97. Notably, it reveals a clear divide between operators’ practical concerns over aging infrastructure, the costs and the inclusiveness of decision-making processes, and professionals’ focus on regulatory compliance and the data-driven approach perceived as more unbiased. Findings from the surveys and focus groups suggest a generally positive orientation toward adoption of AI and robotics. This research expands street-level bureaucracy literature into the realm of technology adoption within energy governance and highlights how frontline workers’ discretion shapes the implementation of emerging technologies in the building sector, while offering practical guidance for designing inclusive and equitable AI and robotics adoption strategies that support climate policy goals.