Are We Ready for AI—or Just Navigating by Sight?
Last week in Saudi Arabia, I was invited to speak at a workshop that gathered brilliant minds from across the real estate sector. The conversation took place in a refined and unexpected setting—a high-end Japanese sushi restaurant, where quiet precision, delicate craft, and timeless tradition created an atmosphere of calm reflection. The kind of place where every detail matters, and every movement is intentional. Much like real estate itself.
While the other speakers—Elena Boheme and Mohamad Rabih Itani—offered deep insights into market dynamics, regulation, and urban development, my mission was different. I was there to bring technology to the table, more specifically: Artificial Intelligence, and how it is reshaping the professional lives of those within the real estate ecosystem.
Because despite the headlines about AI designing cities or automating transactions, the real conversation we must have—urgently—is about people.
How will AI impact brokers, agents, developers, valuators, and facility managers?
Will it make them more efficient—or more replaceable?
Can they use it to gain a competitive edge—or will they be left behind by it?
The Invisible Shift Already Happening
AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.
Today, algorithms can predict property values, track buyer behavior, automate rental processes, and assist with client matching. Tools powered by machine learning are being used to draft legal documents, optimize portfolios, and even generate leads in real time.
This means that many tasks traditionally performed by humans are being gradually absorbed by machines. But that’s only one side of the story.
With the right mindset and training, AI can also become a powerful ally for real estate professionals. It can help agents better understand their markets, personalize client experiences, and focus on what humans do best: building trust and relationships.
Then Came the Question That Shifted the Room
At the end of the session, our moderator, Tatiana Skaff, turned to me and asked:
“Are people ready for the change?”
It was a simple question—but a deep one.
To gain a moment to reflect, I asked the audience if they knew the meaning of the name of the venue we were sitting in. As I expected, no one did. And that was my cue.
No one knew the full meaning of the place, yet everyone showed up, curious and willing to engage. That, I believe, is the answer: we don’t need to have all the answers to begin.
It reminded me of an old navigation method used by sailors centuries ago—navigating by sight. When their compasses failed during storms, they would steer by the stars, the horizon, and instinct. That’s where we are now with AI. Not all the tools are perfect. Not all the paths are clear. But we are moving forward, together.
The Human Side of AI: Opportunity Wrapped in Responsibility
It’s not a question of man versus machine. It’s about whether we choose to grow with technology or resist it until it moves without us.
According to PwC, AI could contribute $320 billion to the Middle East economy by 2030—a large share of it in sectors like real estate, logistics, and services. But numbers aside, this is really about skills, mindset, and adaptability.
The professionals who thrive in the coming years won’t necessarily be the most tech-savvy—they’ll be the ones most open to learning, evolving, and using technology to amplify their human strengths.
So, Are We Ready?
Not fully. But readiness isn’t a fixed state—it’s a willingness to adapt.
And that’s exactly what I saw in that room: people asking questions, challenging assumptions, and leaning into change.
AI will not replace humans. But humans who know how to work with AI may well replace those who don’t.
The challenge is real. But so is the opportunity.
Let’s embrace it—not with fear, but with curiosity, collaboration, and courage.
Because in the end, the future won’t be decided by technology alone. It will be shaped by the people who choose to engage with it.
Artificial Intelligance in Real Estate