Smart vs. Dumb AI: BHS Executive Explains the Future of Real Estate Technology

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Date:

01 Oct 2025

The real estate industry needs to fundamentally rethink its approach to artificial intelligence, according to Brown Harris Stevens Executive Director Jared Antin, who argues there’s a critical distinction between “smart” and “dumb” AI implementation that will determine which agents thrive in the coming years.

The AI Divide

“There’s dumb AI, which people use to just enter in the information and try to replace the work, or there’s smart AI that’s going to make you better, faster, quicker or more nimble,” Antin says. This distinction, he argues, will increasingly separate successful agents from those who struggle to adapt.

According to Antin, many in the industry are approaching AI with the wrong mindset, focusing on replacement rather than enhancement of human capabilities. This approach, he suggests, misses the technology’s true potential.

Strategic Implementation

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human tasks, Antin advocates for strategic implementation that amplifies agent capabilities. “My philosophy with AI is trying to use AI to help make me better, more clear and ultimately save me time while delivering a better sort of quality or service or experience,” he explains.

The focus, according to Antin, should be on identifying areas where AI can reduce operational friction without compromising the essential human elements of real estate service. He points to opportunities in “reducing some of the operational and manual redundancy, simplifying some of the data entry” while maintaining the critical human touch.

Maintaining Human Connection

Antin emphasizes that successful AI integration isn’t about minimizing human interaction but enhancing it. “Not being able to replace the human touch, but being able to complement it, and being able to structure to help agents and team to be able to do a lot more,” he says.

This balanced approach, Antin argues, allows agents to focus more time on high-value activities that truly require human insight and relationship building.

Future Focus

Looking ahead, Antin sees significant opportunities for agents who can properly leverage AI tools. He suggests focusing on implementations that enhance rather than replace core agent functions, particularly in areas of market analysis, operational efficiency, and client communication.

The solution, in Antin’s view, lies in thoughtful integration that preserves and enhances the human elements of real estate service while leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency. As Brown Harris Stevens continues to evolve its technology strategy, Antin’s approach suggests a path forward that balances innovation with the industry’s fundamentally human nature.

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