Artificial intelligence promises to radically transform the real estate industry, but it cannot replace trust, empathy, and human-driven decision-making, according to a survey conducted by Colliers at the 2024 – 2025 CoreNet Summits. The survey included 422 professionals from the EMEA, North America, and APAC regions. While over 70% of companies expect AI to have a major impact on operational processes, only 2% believe it will lead to significant headcount reductions.
According to the Colliers survey, 73% of respondents in the EMEA and North American regions, and 78% in the Asia-Pacific region, anticipate that artificial intelligence will have a significant – if not revolutionary – impact on the real estate market. The most commonly cited applications include smart location mapping (55%), facilities management (49%), lease administration (46%), and portfolio strategy (45%). Companies in the Asia-Pacific region are already at an advanced stage of implementation, using AI solutions integrated into smart buildings and automated processes to increase operational efficiency. For example, the EcoStruxure Building Advisor platform uses machine learning algorithms to optimize energy performance. These technologies enable the anticipation of maintenance issues, improve occupant comfort, and reduce operational costs.
73% of respondents in EMEA and North America, and 78% in the Asia-Pacific region, believe that AI will have a significant or even revolutionary impact on the real estate industry, according to the Colliers survey. The most frequently targeted areas include location analytics (55%), followed by facilities management (49%), lease administration (46%), and portfolio strategy (45%). In the Asia-Pacific region, companies are already at an advanced stage of adoption, using AI systems integrated into smart buildings and automated processes to enhance operational efficiency.
Although artificial intelligence is seen as a potentially transformative factor for the real estate industry, its impact on the workforce appears limited for now. According to a Colliers survey, most companies do not anticipate major changes to their staffing structures: 57% of respondents in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), 58% in North America, and 47% in Asia-Pacific believe AI will not significantly affect employment. Only 2% of respondents expect a substantial reduction in headcount due to AI. Colliers experts attribute this to the fact that real estate decisions are deeply human, relying on interpersonal relationships, trust, and the ability to interpret subtle contextual cues – all of which remain essential in the industry.
“While automation brings efficiencies, people remain key to consulting, negotiating, and building lasting relationships. Technology may accompany this journey, but it is people who create the bridge between logic and emotion. No algorithm can generate trust. No dashboard can read the energy of a room. And no AI can replace the courage required to support an important decision”, explains Daniela Popescu, Director | Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory at Colliers.
