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Artificial intelligence dominated conversations on the opening day of CREtech New York 2025, where industry leaders, innovators, and investors explored how emerging technologies are reshaping every corner of commercial real estate — from development and design to dealmaking and operations.

AI Everywhere
Kicking off the conference, Michael Beckerman, Founder & CEO of CREtech, set the tone: “AI is in the air, and it’s in the room with us today.” That sentiment carried through the day as speakers highlighted how the technology is becoming a foundational layer across the industry.

1. An Acquisition-Focused Market
Panelists Stephen Yalof (Tanger), Cathy Marcus (PGIM Real Estate), and Toby Bozzuto (Bozzuto) described 2025 as an “acquisitions market,” particularly in retail, office, and multifamily. With limited capital for new development, many firms are prioritizing strategic property purchases and repositioning existing assets over breaking ground on new ones.

2. AI Gives Time Back to Professionals
AI’s biggest immediate win? Efficiency. Yalof noted how AI tools now identify high-performing retail tenants for potential leasing — speeding up outreach and decision-making. Arpit Gupta of NYU Stern added that automation is streamlining deal flow and market research, allowing professionals to focus on strategy rather than repetitive tasks.

3. Flexibility Is Key
While enthusiasm for AI runs high, panelists cautioned against overreliance. Gupta emphasized that AI remains in its early stages — powerful, but prone to errors. Rukevbe Esi, Chief Digital Officer at AvalonBay, encouraged companies to build flexibility into their systems to adapt as the technology matures and to maintain human oversight in tenant engagement.

4. Data Is the New Development Tool
Sajit Sankar of Mastercard underscored the importance of data in shaping modern office and mixed-use environments. With AI-enabled analytics, landlords can now monitor tenant behavior and space utilization in real time — informing new developments, optimizing sustainability, and improving overall building performance.

5. AI’s Real ROI: Confidence and Contingency
In construction, AI is moving from buzzword to business driver. Eleftherios Pittas (Tishman Speyer), Sydne Garchik (MRK Partners), and Heather Widman (Building Ventures) agreed that AI’s greatest return won’t just be cost savings but risk reduction. As AI-driven modeling becomes more predictive, project teams gain the confidence to make faster, smarter decisions — turning potential delays into proactive solutions.

Original article posted on October 22, 2025

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