As we welcomed a new year, many of us set personal goals to grow and improve. But what about our businesses? Business resolutions — especially in proptech — can be the catalyst for innovation and progress. With that in mind, I’d like to share six AI-focused resolutions for real estate firms embracing proptech, or those ready to take the leap.
Embrace AI as a lasting partner
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a passing trend — it’s reshaping our industry. While real estate has traditionally been slower to adopt new technologies, the tide has turned. According to a recent JLL survey, 88% of investors, owners and landlords and 92% of occupiers are piloting AI. Just over two years ago, only 5% of commercial real estate firms were doing so. The momentum is undeniable.
AI is weaving itself into every facet of proptech and, by extension, every corner of real estate. The sooner we welcome AI as a partner, the better equipped we’ll be to harness its potential for efficiency and growth. Firms that embrace AI today will be better positioned to adapt to future innovations and stay ahead of the competition. Remember that comfort with AI tools is a key differentiator in keeping pace with the rapid advances that are transforming the real estate sector.
It’s important to recognize that AI adoption is not just about technology, it’s about mindset. Leaders who foster a culture of curiosity and openness to change will inspire their teams to see AI as an opportunity, not a threat.
Separate hype from reality: AI vs. automation
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement around AI, but not every tool labeled “AI” truly fi ts the bill. Automation and AI serve different purposes. Automation streamlines repetitive tasks; AI, on the other hand, learns, adapts and collaborates with us. My advice: approach marketing claims with curiosity and discernment. Evaluate tools carefully to ensure they deliver genuine intelligence, not just automated processes.
Understanding the distinction between automation and AI is essential for making informed technology investments. Automation works for you, handling routine tasks, while AI works with you, offering guidance and creative problem-solving. By carefully assessing product claims, you can ensure your organization invests in solutions that truly drive innovation and value.
As you evaluate new technologies, ask vendors to clarify how their products leverage AI. Look for demonstrations of real learning, adaptability and decision-making. This will help you avoid costly missteps and ensure your technology stack is built on a foundation of true innovation.
Build a strong data foundation
AI’s effectiveness depends on the quality of your data. To unlock real value, organizations must clean up and structure their data across divisions and sources. This may mean mapping out where data lives, standardizing governance and breaking down silos. Though it takes effort, a strong data foundation ensures that AI delivers insights you can trust and act on.
Start by identifying where your data is stored and how it’s compiled. Establishing clear guidelines for data governance and standardization will help prepare your organization for integration across teams and systems. The process may be laborious, but it’s a critical step to ensure that the insights you gain from AI are both accurate and actionable.
Investing in data management now will pay dividends as AI becomes more deeply embedded in your operations.
Champion responsible AI
At MRI Software, we’ve built our Responsible AI framework around principles like accountability, fairness, transparency, reliability and security. These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re the backbone of every AI-enabled product we create. By applying these principles to our software development, we ensure that every algorithm aligns with our commitment to ethical and secure AI.
I encourage all software providers to adopt similar standards, and I urge real estate firms to ask tough questions to understand the controls and cybersecurity measures in place behind their AI tools.
Responsible AI isn’t just good practice, it’s essential for mitigating risk and building trust with clients and stakeholders. As AI becomes more influential in our industry, it’s our duty to uphold the highest standards and advocate for responsible innovation, which also means ensuring that systems are inclusive and fair.
Empower your team
Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to technology. Some worry that AI will replace jobs, but the reality is more nuanced. AI will transform roles, making work more engaging and freeing up time for strategic thinking. The best-prepared firms will invest in training — not just technical skills, but also communication, analysis and creativity. Human insight and empathy will be more valuable than ever.
Employees need to feel confident using AI tools, which means providing comprehensive training and support. Encourage your teams your teams to develop both technical and interpersonal skills, as AI cannot replace human relationships, critical thinking or decades of industry experience. By fostering a culture of learning and adaptability, you’ll help your workforce thrive in an AI-enabled environment.
Make your voice heard
At MRI, client input shapes every new feature and tool we develop. When we are preparing to roll out new tools or features, we ask selected clients to participate in beta testing or early adopter programs. Their feedback helps us refine features and, where appropriate, add new ones, ensuring that what we deliver is tailored to the unique needs of proptech users.
Early feedback is especially critical when working with AI, which is built to solve real-world challenges from day one. AI technology isn’t simply layered on to our finished products; it is built into the product from the beginning to ensure that it will perform as expected according to specific use cases. Open communication is key to transforming AI’s potential into practical, impactful results.
Remember, your feedback doesn’t just improve products—it helps shape the future of proptech. By voicing your needs and aspirations, you contribute to a more responsive, innovative and human-centric industry.
CONCLUSION
AI tools are already a vital part of proptech. They’re used by facility managers, multifamily operators, commercial landlords and developers, investors, residential leasing agents and legal professionals for tasks ranging from fraud prevention and document abstraction to energy management and predictive maintenance. Morgan Stanley predicts that AI’s value for real estate will equate to $34 billion in effi ciency gains by 2030. To recap:
1. Embrace AI as a lasting partner.
2. Separate hype from reality: AI vs. automation.
3. Build a strong data foundation.
4. Champion responsible AI.
5. Empower your team.
6. Make your voice heard.
Let these resolutions guide you. AI is transformative, making our work more rewarding and our industry more dynamic. If you’re not yet on board, let the rest of 2026 be your year to catch up — and then lead the way.
.
