Real estate agents fear AI may force career changes

CYPHER Learning has released research showing that 82% of independent real estate agents believe AI could eventually force them to change careers. The survey also found that 76% think the companies they work with do not care about helping them develop AI skills.

The findings point to tension between agents' widespread use of AI tools and dissatisfaction with the support they receive from affiliated organisations. One in five respondents said they were very likely to stop selling for their current organisation within 12 months.

AI use is already common among the agents surveyed, with 96% using AI tools at least a few times a week. The most common tasks include researching properties or assets, answering client questions, creating marketing and social content, and drafting client communications.

Despite that level of adoption, many agents said the training on offer does not match their day-to-day work. Almost all respondents said their affiliated real estate organisation had provided AI training, but 55% described it as broad or general rather than tailored to practical tasks.

Training gap

The survey suggests agents are looking beyond official channels for help. When they have questions about using AI at work, 79% said they turn to AI tools such as ChatGPT, while 59% use online searches and forums. That compares with 55% who rely on official training, support or resources, and 45% who ask colleagues and peers.

Agents also identified what they want from their organisations. Just over half, 53%, said they need better technology and AI tools to build their business. The same share said AI skills and workflow training would be the most valuable type of training they could receive now.

Better AI support also appears linked to retention. The research found that 51% said better AI tools and guidance would increase their loyalty to their current brokerage or brand, while 46% said better or faster training would have the same effect.

John Mazur, Chief Executive Officer of CYPHER Learning, said firms have an opening to address the issue.

"Independent agents represent a brokerage or brand in the field, but for some reason, they are excluded from the AI enablement that corporate employees receive. They're already using AI and they're eager for better tools, skills and workflow training. Real estate organizations have a clear opportunity to make AI enablement a core part of the agent value proposition," Mazur said.

Compliance concerns

The research also highlighted risks around compliance and brand control. Only 31% of agents said they were very confident that their use of AI complies with legal and compliance requirements.

A larger share admitted using AI-generated material with limited review. The survey found that 88% had sent AI-generated content to clients without editing it first, including 57% who said they do so usually or always.

Brand rules also appear to come under pressure in dealmaking. Nearly all respondents, 97%, said they or someone else had already bent or skipped brand guidelines to close a deal.

Those figures matter for brokerages and national real estate brands because independent agents often operate at a distance from central teams while still representing the company in front of clients. The survey indicates that AI use is happening at scale even as confidence in compliant use remains limited.

Partnership launch

Alongside the survey, CYPHER Learning has partnered with Bright MLS to launch the Bright AI Academy. The initiative is intended to place AI learning within the platform agents already use to manage their work.

Brian Donnellan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bright MLS, outlined the rationale for the move.

"AI is moving fast in real estate, but tools are only as good as the training behind them. Agents don't need more tech tossed at them. They need simple, reliable guidance on how to use AI responsibly to run a better business. With the Bright MLS AI Academy, we're bringing CYPHER Learning's platform together with Bright's data to give our subscribers the exact skills they need to stay ahead of the curve," Donnellan said.

The survey covered 400 U.S. independent agents across real estate, finance and insurance, including 150 real estate agents. Participants worked within networks of at least 50 agents or locations at nationwide firms.

For real estate groups, the results suggest AI policy alone may not be enough if agents continue to rely more heavily on public tools and informal sources than on official guidance. Only 31% of respondents said they were very confident that their AI use complies with legal and compliance requirements.