Rapid AI Growth Demands New Mindset in Real Estate

A striking observation was made at the RETCON 2025 conference: approximately 99% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct, primarily because they failed to adapt quickly enough to changing environments. This theme of adaptation was echoed in discussions about AI’s rapid transformation of the real estate landscape. As AI transitions from experimentation to scaling, adapting to these changes becomes crucial for survival and growth in the industry.

Lance French, Chief Information Officer at RealPage, highlighted the transformative power of AI in real estate during a morning presentation. He noted that autonomous systems not only enhance property values with precision but also elevate tenant experiences by anticipating needs and proactively resolving issues. French emphasized that scaling AI requires a different mindset, focusing on securely extracting value, protecting privacy, and being well-governed, given AI’s rapid evolution. “Scaling AI requires a different mindset. It’s about how you can extract value in your business, in a way that works, is secure, protects privacy, and is well-governed, because the world of AI is changing rapidly,” he explained. French also pointed out that AI is growing faster than any preceding technology and is predicted to become a $180 billion annual industry in real estate alone.