Real estate's AI reality check: 90% of companies piloting, only 5% achieved all AI goals

Rhea-AI Summary

JLL (JLL) released its 2025 Global Real Estate Technology Survey of 1,500+ CRE decision‑makers across 16 markets, finding rapid AI uptake but low program maturity.

Key findings: 88% of investors/owners are piloting AI, 92% of occupiers run pilots, only 5% achieved all AI goals, and 47% met two‑to‑three goals. 87% say real estate tech budgets rose because of AI and most firms pursue an average of five AI use cases. JLL warns organizational readiness—data, infrastructure and change management—remains the main barrier to scaling AI, and that inaction risks competitive loss over the next three to five years.

Positive

• 88% of investors, owners and landlords piloting AI
• 92% of occupiers running AI pilots
• 87% report real estate tech budgets increased because of AI
• Average of five AI use cases pursued per organization
• 47% achieved two–three program goals

Negative

• Only 5% of companies achieved all AI program goals
• Majority of initiatives remain experimental with limited scaling
• Over 60% of investors unprepared strategically or technically
• Organizational readiness gaps in data, infrastructure and change management

Insights

CRE tech strategist

Survey shows broad AI pilots but low program completion; leaders invest in data, roadmaps and change management.

JLL’s survey of 1,500+ CRE decision‑makers reports widespread piloting: 88% of investors and 92% of occupiers run AI pilots, with organizations pursuing an average of five use cases and identifying 56 distinct applications across the value chain. Despite adoption, only 5% achieved all program goals and 47% reached two to three goals, which signals experimental activity rather than scaled, outcome-driven deployment.

Business impact depends on foundational readiness: quality data, infrastructure and change‑management. The most successful groups create tailored technology roadmaps, invest in data platforms and embed AI into workflows. The survey also reports 87% of respondents increased tech budgets because of AI and that over 60% of investors remain unprepared strategically, organizationally and technically.

Watch execution milestones over the next three years and by 2030: adoption breadth (pilot-to-scale conversion), measurable outcome attainment beyond pilot goals, and concrete investments in data/infrastructure. Expect the gap between systematic adopters and experimental pilots to widen; monitor updates to the share of firms that report fully meeting program goals and any disclosed Roadmap or governance milestones within 12–36 months.

JLL's research reveals despite near-universal AI adoption, significant gaps remain in driving business impact

CHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence (AI) in commercial real estate is entering a new phase, moving beyond early explorations and toward targeted, high‑impact use cases that aim to redefine value. JLL's 2025 Global Real Estate Technology Survey, of 1,500+ senior CRE investor and occupier decision-makers across 16 markets and various industries, reveals while maturity remains low, organizations are prioritizing AI in their real estate technology budgets and piloting projects that go well beyond individual productivity use cases. Currently, 88% of investors, owners and landlords have started piloting AI, with most pursuing an average of five use cases simultaneously and 92% of occupiers are also running corporate real estate AI pilots. This shift signals a strategic pivot from efficiency to growth and business impact.

Despite economic headwinds, more than half of investors have achieved considerable technology budget growth over the past two years. Strategic advisory on technology or AI is investors' number one commercial real estate (CRE) tech budget priority for the next two years and 87% report their real estate technology budgets have increased because of AI. Their top five real estate technology budget items for both investors and occupiers are strategic advisory on tech/AI, followed by upgrading both cyber and data security measures and infrastructure for AI integration, all of which have been chosen for their potential to deliver competitive advantage rather than quick, operational wins.

"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," said Yao Morin, Chief Technology Officer, JLL. "A strong data platform is critical for growth and the companies that prioritized building out their data platforms to gear up for more sophisticated AI applications will continue to pick up steam and lead the competition." 

Rapid adoption but varied success rates

Over the last two years, the speed of AI adoption in real estate has been unprecedented. In July 2023, fewer than 5% of companies started AI pilots, a stark contrast compared with now.

While some companies have proactively embraced the technology, a considerable portion of CRE occupier teams have ended up implementing AI not by choice, but by C-suite mandate as they view AI adoption as a competitive necessity. Despite the significant percentage of CRE occupiers piloting AI, only 5% report having achieved all their program goals; 47% have achieved two to three goals. Though implementation is widespread, most initiatives remain experimental with limited scaling.

Why some companies are winning with AI

While adoption is widespread, maturity remains low. Between occupiers and investors, JLL Research identified 56 AI use cases across every aspect of the CRE value chain, from which both groups are pursuing an average of five pilot projects simultaneously. Historically, it was suggested that organizations should start with simple, low-risk applications; however, the survey data reveals a different approach emerging in CRE. Despite facing limited resources and uncertain outcomes, teams are prioritizing high-impact areas and rebalancing their AI priorities to directly address their most pressing business challenges. 

The real challenge, and the reason why maturity remains low, lies in the readiness of an organization including whether they have quality data, infrastructure and the change‑management processes needed to integrate AI into core workflows. The most successful investors take a systematic approach to AI by developing tailored technology roadmaps, investing in quality data and infrastructure and embedding AI into core workflow, all widening the gap between leaders and laggards.

The window to act is closing

The opportunity to secure competitive advantage through AI is not indefinite. The CRE landscape will look different within the next three years and certainly by 2030.

The cost of inaction isn't just slower growth; it's potential loss of market relevance as the industry rewards tech-forward leaders. Yet more than 60% of investors remain unprepared strategically, organizationally and technically. In tandem, occupiers that wait idly for technologies to mature in hopes of a "second mover advantage" risk competitive obsolescence as they miss the chance to experiment and understand how AI can deliver value for their unique operations. Companies with successful tech programs are widening the competitive gap through systematic approaches to road mapping, resource allocation and change management.

"Successful AI implementation begins with a clear, strategic vision that aligns technological capabilities to business objectives," said Sharad Rastogi, CEO, Work Dynamics Technology Group, JLL. "Execution of AI demands the right blend of internal expertise and external partnerships to upskill talent, embed governance structures and build ongoing capabilities."

The message is clear: act smart and act now. Companies that invest in foundational capabilities today will lead as AI reshapes the industry.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit JLL's newsroom.

About JLL
For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500^® company with annual revenue of $23.4 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 112,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY^SM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Contact: Allison Olp
Phone: +1 312 228 3128
Email: allison.olp@jll.com

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SOURCE JLL

FAQ

What did JLL's October 28, 2025 survey find about AI adoption in real estate (JLL)?

JLL found 88% of investors and 92% of occupiers are piloting AI, but only 5% achieved all program goals.

How many AI use cases are companies pursuing according to JLL's 2025 survey?

Respondents pursue an average of five AI use cases simultaneously across the CRE value chain.

What percent of firms said AI increased their real estate technology budgets?

87% of respondents reported their real estate technology budgets rose because of AI.

What are the main barriers to scaling AI in commercial real estate per JLL (JLL)?

JLL highlights gaps in data quality, infrastructure and change management as primary barriers to scaling AI.

What does JLL warn will happen if companies delay AI investment over the next three years?

JLL warns delayed action risks loss of market relevance and widening competitive gaps as tech‑forward leaders pull ahead.