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AI tools may be widespread throughout the real estate industry, but many agencies are still unintentionally limiting themselves when it comes to the technology, according to a recent survey.
According to JLL’s 2025 Global Real Estate Technology Survey, 92 per cent of commercial real estate teams have started piloting artificial intelligence (AI) or said they were planning to, marking a significant boost from the technology’s 5 per cent adoption rate in July 2023.
The survey found that while real estate agencies rushed to invest in AI, strategic planning around the technology had fallen short.
JLL work dynamics technology group CEO Sharad Rastogi said that agencies seeking to successfully adopt AI must adopt a longer-term perspective on its applications, rather than seeking a quick fix.
“Successful AI implementation begins with a clear, strategic vision that aligns technological capabilities to business objectives,” Rastogi said.
“Execution of AI demands the right blend of internal expertise and external partnerships.”
The survey also showed that while most commercial real estate firms adopt the technology out of genuine interest, a significant portion had implemented it due to management directives, viewing it as a competitive necessity.
JLL found that the disconnect is one of the main reasons agencies weren’t maximising the tool, with only 5 per cent reporting that they have succeeded in achieving most of their AI goals.
The firm said that agencies resistant to adopting AI technology risk not only slower growth but also losing market relevance.
JLL chief technology officer Yao Morin said that real estate agencies were embracing the technology as they look to improve their capacity to serve.
“We’re seeing a definite shift as our clients are reimagining the possibilities of AI and focusing more on generating long-term value over quick, operational wins,” Morin said.
Uses of AI
JLL found that real estate companies were shifting their AI focus from operational improvements to revenue-generating applications.
Back in 2023, the majority of discussion around the use of AI centred on efficiency, but the focus has since shifted towards growth opportunities.
Tasks used to be almost entirely operational in nature, such as automating routine tasks and optimising the delivery of services.
However, now JLL has found that five of the top six objectives were directly related to revenue generation and growth opportunities, including analysing market trends and risk modelling and forecasting.
While growth and efficiency targets have been equally challenging, the report found the real difficulty has been integrating the tool into daily operations without disrupting workflow during team adjustments.
The survey found that while many agencies were quick to adopt the technology, most were still feeling out the tool before scaling towards a full implementation.
Additionally, JLL said that the urgency of AI adoption has reshaped agency budgets, with the top five priorities now focused on implementing AI and preparing for its impact through cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
The data showed that while 87 per cent of real estate businesses are increasing their technology budgets due to AI, 60 per cent of them remain unprepared for the implementation of scaled AI.
Morin said that ensuring AI had the necessary data to support its tasks was pivotal to succeeding with the new technology.
“A strong data platform is critical for growth, and the companies that prioritised building out their data platforms to gear up for more sophisticated AI applications will continue to pick up steam and lead the competition,” Morin concluded.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mathew Williams
Born in the rural town of Griffith NSW, Mathew Williams is a graduate journalist who has always had a passion for storytelling. Having graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Sports Media in 2023, Mathew recently made the move to Sydney from Canberra to pursue a career in journalism and has joined the Momentum Media team, writing for their real estate brands. Outside of journalism, Mathew is an avid fan of all things sports and regularly attends sporting events across Sydney. Get in touch at
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