by Andrew Waller
I recently attended the Yavica conference in Copenhagen, where leading figures from technology and professional services discussed the future of real estate systems.
A key theme was the rapid evolution of technology platforms, with a particular focus on Microsoft’s platform, on which the Yavica solution is based. Artificial intelligence is now deeply integrated into many systems, and it was clear that Microsoft and its partners are investing heavily in developing AI use cases and integrating these functions across their platforms.
While these technological advancements are noteworthy, what stood out most was the cultural gap between the technology sector and the real estate industry, a point highlighted in the keynote address by Dan Hughes.
Real estate is cautious, technology is restless
Real estate businesses are typically risk-averse, preferring stability and long-term planning over experimentation. In contrast, technology companies tend to move quickly, embrace new ideas, and view failure as a natural part of progress. This difference was evident at the conference: while technology providers discussed advanced digital strategies and tools, many delegates were focused on ensuring their current systems were stable and that staff were comfortable with existing tools. There was also a clear concern about readiness to adopt further innovations.
Adoption is still the sticking point
This challenge is not new. Many real estate organisations continue to face difficulties with technology adoption. Even the most powerful tools can fall short if staff lack confidence or if processes are not properly aligned. Some attendees acknowledged that their technology implementations had not fully met expectations.
There is a risk that the industry could lag behind, observing as new processes and AI capabilities are developed, but hesitating to implement them in practice.
Bridging the gap
How can this cultural divide be addressed? From my perspective, three priorities are clear:
Stabilise existing systems and processes before pursuing new features.
Invest in adoption by training and supporting staff so that digital tools become second nature.
Encourage safe experimentation, allowing teams to try new technologies or workflows without fear of disruption or blame.
The conference reinforced the view that technology itself is no longer the main barrier. The real challenge lies in whether real estate businesses can adapt their culture quickly enough to take advantage of these new opportunities. That is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the sector in the coming years.
To discuss this further, please contact Andrew Waller.