- Commercial real estate firms are using AI to boost efficiency and output, especially in analyst roles. As a result, they now demand stronger technical and analytical skills.
- Firms have not reduced headcount yet, but they are hiring fewer junior analysts. Employers want candidates who can perform from day one.
- Educators and industry leaders worry that early-career professionals may lose critical training opportunities as AI automates foundational tasks.
Analysts Face a New Reality
AI tools are transforming the analyst’s role in commercial real estate, per Bisnow. Companies expect analysts to do more with the help of technology—and to do it faster.
“We’re giving you these tools to support your role,” said Keller Augusta’s Kaitlin Kincaid. “But we’re expecting a higher level of output.”
These expectations are especially high for junior analysts. Many firms no longer have the time or budget to train new hires in basic functions. They want candidates who can immediately deliver insights using AI.
AI Investment Picks Up Speed
Major firms like CBRE, JLL, and Marcus & Millichap have invested heavily in proprietary AI tools. JLL rolled out dozens of AI products in 2024. CBRE’s internal system, Ellis, helps analysts spend less time searching for data and more time generating value.
Startups are also changing the game. Henry, an AI tool for deal decks, claims to reduce work that once took days to just a few hours. Its users now handle six or seven deals at once, compared to two or three before.
“Companies aren’t using AI to cut jobs,” said Henry CEO Sammy Greenwall. “They’re using it so they don’t have to hire as many people as they grow.”
Entry-Level Hiring Gets Tougher
With AI taking over repetitive tasks, early-career analysts must offer more than just willingness to learn. They need to interpret data, find key insights, and communicate them clearly.
This shift has made hiring more selective. Firms are raising the bar, especially for those fresh out of school. Instead of training new analysts, many companies want talent ready to contribute on day one.
Educators are taking note. “If students skip the foundational work, they may struggle to judge AI’s output,” said Collete English Dixon from Roosevelt University.
Because of these changes, universities may have to take on a bigger role in preparing students for CRE careers.
What Lies Ahead
AI’s influence in CRE will keep growing. According to Ferguson Partners’ March 2025 survey, 63% of firms plan to increase AI budgets by at least 5% over the next two years.
As companies automate routine work, they will expect analysts to focus more on insights and storytelling. Those who adapt will thrive. Others may struggle to keep up in a fast-changing field.
To succeed, tomorrow’s analysts must blend data skills with business judgment—and they must do it faster and smarter than ever before.
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