Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a fringe concept in commercial real estate (CRE) it’s rapidly becoming a foundational tool transforming how the industry operates. From retail to logistics, offices to mixed-use developments, AI is being deployed to cut costs, boost efficiency, and enable smarter, data-led decisions that were unthinkable just five years ago.
According to McKinsey, AI adoption in real estate will grow by over 40% globally by 2026, with proptech investments in AI-centric solutions expected to exceed €10bn annually. In Europe, investor sentiment is increasingly AI-positive, especially in cities like Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam, where green innovation and digital-first development are gaining traction. Over 68% of institutional investors surveyed by CBRE said AI-driven platforms will be a primary focus in their 2026 acquisition strategies.
AI adoption data: McKinsey & Company – Proptech and Real Estate Outlook 2025
Europe is seeing a surge in platforms that use AI to solve longstanding industry inefficiencies. For example, Deepki uses AI-powered ESG data analysis to help CRE owners align with EU green standards. Skyline AI offers institutional investors machine learning tools to underwrite and manage assets more precisely. Leverton provides AI lease abstraction and document intelligence, streamlining due diligence and compliance across portfolios.
Similarly, We Are Pop Up, originally launched as the “Airbnb for retail,” is preparing for a full-scale relaunch that expands its offering to include office, storage, and event spaces. The platform is integrating AI-driven tools to meet the growing demand for flexible, short-term commercial space. With average vacancy rates in major European cities hovering around 8%, translating to an estimated €120bn in lost rental income annually, We Are Pop Up enables landlords to minimise downtime by intelligently matching available spaces with short-term tenants based on real-time demographic, footfall, and performance insights. Now actively seeking investment to scale, the company is positioning itself as an AI-first alternative to generic property platforms, purpose-built for Europe’s €1.5trn commercial real estate market.
AI’s influence is spreading rapidly across all sectors. In logistics, developers and investors are integrating AI-powered supply chain optimisation tools that dynamically adjust space utilisation and inventory management. These systems reduce operational costs while improving delivery performance, helping warehouses evolve into more adaptive, intelligent hubs. In office space, AI tools are used to track occupancy trends, reduce energy usage, and improve space planning, making workplaces more sustainable and employee-centric.
AI-driven platforms now touch nearly every element of the real estate lifecycle. Vendor management software uses natural language processing (NLP) to scan contracts and suggest ideal partners based on performance data. Smart lease documentation tools speed up deal cycles through real-time document generation and compliance checks. AI-enabled ESG assessment platforms help stakeholders benchmark assets against EU Taxonomy regulations and green standards, providing real-time tracking on energy usage, emissions, and social metrics.
Workforce innovation is also being reshaped. AI tools are streamlining recruitment by scanning CVs, recommending candidates, and even forecasting job satisfaction and team fit. Talent evaluations are enhanced through sentiment analysis and adaptive performance tracking, reducing bias and improving retention. AI also helps in evaluating location-based labour access for new developments, combining HR data with geographic insights.
For developers and institutional investors, the real advantage lies in AI’s ability to consolidate data across vast portfolios. These tools support predictive maintenance, automate valuations, simulate development outcomes, and align portfolios with shifting tenant demand—without requiring an expanded physical footprint. Digital infrastructure, rather than additional square metres, is becoming the new source of efficiency.
Investor sentiment data: CBRE Europe Investor Intentions Survey 2025
As we move into 2026, AI is no longer a future proposition. It’s becoming essential infrastructure, providing a digital backbone that allows real estate to operate more like a technology industry. Platforms that combine modular AI tools with intuitive UX will drive competitive advantage, offering investors, landlords, and occupiers the insight to act faster and with greater precision.
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Companies mentioned
Deepki – ESG data intelligence platform for commercial real estate
Skyline AI – AI-powered investment and asset management
Leverton – AI for lease abstraction and documentation
We Are Pop Up – Flexible retail platform redevelopming into AI for retail, office, storage and events - analytics and matchmaking
CBRE – Provided investor sentiment data (Europe Investor Intentions Survey 2025)
McKinsey & Company – Provided CRE AI adoption forecast (Proptech and Real Estate Outlook 2025)
Written by: Ilona Klevansky Taillade
