Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries across the economy, and real estate is no exception. At the 2026 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, industry leaders, technology experts and policymakers gathered for the Regulatory Issues Forum to examine one of the most pressing questions facing the profession: How can innovation be encouraged while ensuring AI is used responsibly?
The session, AI Innovation, Real Estate & Regulation: A Candid Discussion about AI Regulation, brought together experts from government, public policy and technology organizations to discuss the evolving AI landscape and its implications for housing, business and consumers.
NAR Director of Legal Advocacy Caitlin Vannoy moderated a fireside chat with Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Kratsios discussed the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in emerging technologies amid growing global competition and remarked that “real estate is a great industry to think about applying AI.”
“I think there is no better time in history to be a small business owner than today. There is no more powerful tool that has ever been created in the history of the world that a small business can use and wield for its own benefit. And we’re seeing this across so many different industries,” Kratsios added.
As countries around the world develop their own approaches to AI governance, policymakers face the challenge of fostering innovation while ensuring that regulations do not unintentionally hinder economic growth and technological progress.
Panel Discussion on the Power of AI
Following the fireside chat, Sipho Simela, founder and CEO Matrix Rental Solutions, led a panel discussion on artificial intelligence with Adam Thierer, resident senior fellow for technology and innovation at the R Street Institute, and Travis Hall, director for state engagement at the Center for Democracy and Technology.
Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized that AI is no longer a future consideration; it is already influencing how businesses operate, consumers access information and professionals make decisions.
“In my 35 years of doing technology policy in this town, I’ve never really seen a level of activism or interests surrounding any technology policy issue as much as we’re seeing around artificial intelligence right now in the United States,” Thierer said.
For real estate practitioners, AI tools are increasingly being used to streamline administrative tasks, enhance marketing efforts, analyze market trends and improve customer service.
At the same time, panelists noted that the rapid pace of technological advancement has sparked debate among lawmakers and regulators about how best to govern AI systems. A key theme of the forum was the balance between encouraging innovation and establishing safeguards that promote transparency, accountability and consumer trust.
The Need for Safeguards and the Right Balance
While the technology presents significant opportunities to improve efficiency and expand access to information, speakers emphasized that responsible implementation remains critical.
“There is a layer of testing and responsibility for these tools that is missing. The problem with artificial intelligence is that it obfuscates; it obfuscates how decisions are made based on which information, right? It obfuscates responsibility. Who is ultimately responsible when things go wrong?” Hall pondered.
Thierer hopes that there will be some clarity and consistency regarding AI usage in various industries, but the panelists predicted that we won’t be in a much different spot 12 months from now. They reinforced the need for ongoing engagement between industry leaders, policymakers and technology experts to ensure that innovation benefits consumers while preserving trust in the real estate marketplace.
“Artificial intelligence is already beginning to reshape the way business is done across industries, and real estate is no exception,” said NAR’s Chief Advocacy Officer and Executive Vice President Shannon McGahn. “As AI continues to evolve, [agents who are] REALTORS® will encounter new tools and applications that can help them better serve clients, streamline operations and grow their businesses.
“It’s important that policymakers strike the right balance, encouraging innovation while ensuring consumers remain protected and the real estate marketplace remains fair, transparent and competitive.”
