Commercial Real Estate Pros Use AI Weekly, But Trust It for Decisions Just 5% of the Time
A new study from First American Data & Analytics and DealGround found that artificial intelligence has moved into mainstream use across commercial real estate-but professionals remain reluctant to rely on it for high-stakes deal work.
The research surveyed 255 CRE professionals across brokerage, lending, capital markets, development, and asset management between March 31 and April 8, 2026. The findings reveal a gap between adoption and confidence: 66% of respondents use AI weekly or daily, yet only 5% trust it enough to inform actual deal decisions.
AI as Support Tool, Not Decision-Maker
More than half of respondents (53%) use AI for support only and exclude it from final decision-making. Another 17% use it only after heavy verification. The barrier is not cost or unclear return on investment-just 5% cited those concerns. Instead, 34% say they don't know which tools to use, and 32% worry about accuracy.
Matt Key, vice president of property data at First American Data & Analytics, said the next phase depends on data quality. "Professionals are using AI, but only if the outputs are verifiable and the data is reliable. Closing this gap is what will move AI from a productivity tool to a decision-making engine."
Where CRE Sees AI Value Now
AI's current value lies in incremental productivity gains. The study identified two priority areas for future development: automating manual transaction and closing processes (cited by 33% of respondents) and delivering reliable rent and sales comps in thin or opaque markets (25%).
These priorities point to what the market actually needs. CRE professionals are not asking for more features. They want less friction, more consistency, and greater confidence in underlying data.
The Pressure Test Phase
Dan Mosher, CEO and co-founder of DealGround, framed the current moment as a pressure test rather than resistance. "Brokers will adopt tools that fit how they actually work, but they will not stake a deal on outputs they don't trust."
The study shows a market moving beyond curiosity but still short of full confidence. AI has earned a place in day-to-day CRE work. Broader adoption in deal-related workflows will depend on improvements in trust, verification, and data integrity.
For professionals looking to understand how AI fits into real estate work, AI for Real Estate & Construction provides an overview of current applications in the industry. Those in brokerage roles may find the AI Learning Path for Real Estate Brokers directly applicable to their workflow.
Your membership also unlocks:
