Real talk: Are you all excited about how AI is going to impact your job?  Or nervous?

Even afraid?We are being engulfed with discussions about all the great things that are going to happen with AI implementation, but those are often from the company perspective.

How are you all, as individuals, reacting to AI?

AI isn’t a future conversation anymore, it’s already reshaping how top operators run their portfolios. Those that embrace it and learn it will be top performers.

Amber Stevens I agree this isn't a discussion about some far off future. It is now.

I look at AI like Pandoras Box. Once it's out it cant go back in, it is how you navigate with it. Those top performers NOW give it 3 years and they will realize the reason our industry is so unique is because it DEMANDS the human component. It depends on empathy, connection, value, and community. Sure you can strip down offices to bare bones and and underpaid teams, what you gain on the short end you will lose in the long run.

Britni Michelle Ruiz this! This is the answer!

I’ve been laid off twice since Dec due to cutting back positions in small firms. One eliminated not only my Sr Manager role but also the receptionist position as they are moving to AI. This is NOT a good thing.

Nikki Kritner disagree. While some positions may get cut or trimmed, AI is increasing productivity and efficiency across the industry. High performers are finding other ways and more time to increase their value to a company and property. There is more time for management to be out on site rather thsn stuck in the office with constant paperwork. There is more time for resident engagement, business to business marketing, and training team.members to become high performers. While sites may not need 3 Leasing Consultants and can be productive with 2 or even one, the site can choose top performers to fill the available positions.
Ultimately, there may not be as MANY people in the industry, which cuts payroll and increases profits and can contribute to lower rents with less overhead costs.

Anonymous member 875 yeah, you just openly advocated for people to lose their jobs. I want nothing to do with your train of through whatsoever. You’re a capitalist who puts profits over people. If staffs had PROPER staffing levels, then we COULD perform like that.

Anonymous member 875 disagree. What about the people who need jobs? In the long run, no one will be buying what you're selling because they won't be able to afford it.

i wish ai could replace my job while i was on a river fishing.

Jaymz Yates it's getting close... by 2028 my friend. Ever been fishing in the streams in the Smoky Mountains? Some nice trout in those rivers.

Elise AI is in full force and implemented at our communities. It is not taking over anyone’s job, but is is reshaping our work day. Some task are being taken out of our plate and we have more time to focus on other tasks.

I work for a large reit. We have automation bots doing things like answering some basic leasing questions, scheduling self guided tours, uploading invoices into payment system, doing some charges to ledgers: probably more things that i dont know of.
I dont feel strongly one way or the other, if anything i am in favor.
If small simple things can be done by a bot i am all for that. I dont feel my job is threatened. (I work corporate admin)

In the world there was not one position that suffered because of AI. At least not yet and not for another many years. They all say layoffs but it's got nothing to do with AI. It's got to do with billionaire grift and stupid people voting for criminal public servants.

Companies that build their own platforms internally will have a competitive edge, especially in Digital Marketing. Hiring individuals with the proper skill sets is key. 10 years ago hiring an individual required in our space required 80% people & sales skills and 20% tech skills. Today its 80% tech skills and 20% people skills. Industry has a shortage of the later.
Skill sets to survive what's coming:
AI Automation
AI R&D / Platform / Application development
Prompt Engineer + understanding of grounding and chunking methodologies and token management
Setting up MCP (Model Context Protocol) to your LLM + tech stack.
Content architecture / Semantic markup / JSON / SCHEMA
Next few years are going to be wild!!

Companies that build their own platforms usually pay a higher cost for a more inferior product rather than purchasing from a vendor with a whole tech team behind them. Unless you’re part of the small percentage of folks with the capital and knowledge to build and maintain a true platform, you’re better off buying one and tailoring it to your needs. Also if you have someone on your team with that knowledge they will likely leave if successful and then good luck maintaining the platform.

Anonymous member 140 We could have discussed this while at Optech ; )

I agree. Leasing itself isn’t disappearing, it’s evolving. The role is becoming more strategic, not less relevant. High performers don’t get replaced; they grow beyond the traditional leasing role because the expectations are expanding.

AI is no different than when computers or the internet first came into play. It can feel intimidating at first, but it’s ultimately a tool, and a powerful one. The agents who learn how to use it will have an advantage, not a disadvantage.

It's encouraging to hear this Ana.

I've already taken some prompt engineering classes and it has helped significantly. I'm trained beyond basic Chatgpt responses and I use it everyday in my role as a Team-lead and in my marketing role.

I copied your list. It will assist me in selecting my next certification.