Authored by Aiyappa Diliph Somayada, Chief Business Officer, Brigade REAP
India’s real estate sector is entering a decisive phase in its technology journey. Technology is no longer merely an enabler operating in the background; but increasingly becoming part of how real estate is planned, designed, built, sold and managed. The opportunity for technology-led transformation is enormous with India emerging as the third most active market globally for PropTech and UrbanTech, behind only the US and the UK. This growing momentum is changing the very nature of how real estate is conceived and delivered.
Real estate will always be about physical assets, but the way those assets come to life is changing rapidly. A useful way of looking at this transition is through the philosophy of “concrete meets code”. Software, data, automation and digital platforms are increasingly becoming embedded across the project lifecycle, from planning and design to procurement, construction technologies, building operations, sales and marketing, and ultimately asset management. Technology is no longer sitting alongside the real estate business, but rather gradually becoming part of the business itself.
The real test for PropTech, however, will be its ability to demonstrate tangible value at scale; whether through greater efficiency, lower costs, better decision-making, improved customer engagement or stronger asset performance. The current investment landscape itself suggests that the market is moving towards maturity. Mergers and acquisitions are taking place, unicorns have emerged and some technology companies are entering the public markets. These developments are important because they demonstrate that the intersection of technology and real estate is no longer being viewed purely as a startup opportunity. It is increasingly becoming a serious investment proposition. Technology and real estate are therefore emerging as a real play from both an adoption and an investment standpoint.
Artificial intelligence, naturally, sits at the centre of the current technology conversation. One of the most immediate opportunities lies in repetitive and mundane processes. Real estate transactions and development involve extensive legal due diligence, documentation, data processing and other administrative work. These activities can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. AI has the potential to automate parts of these processes, allowing professionals to spend more time on tasks that require judgement, expertise and decision-making.
Sales and marketing offer another clear area of application. Developers generate and handle large volumes of customer leads, and AI can help with lead qualification and lead enrichment, allowing sales teams to better understand prospective customers and prioritise their efforts. The value here is not simply automation; it is the ability to use data more intelligently to make the sales process more relevant and efficient.
The potential extends into the operation of buildings themselves. Predictive maintenance could allow building systems and equipment to be monitored for early signs of failure, helping operators address issues before they become expensive disruptions. This becomes particularly relevant as the industry moves towards smart buildings and smarter assets, where data generated by buildings can be used to improve performance, maintenance and the overall experience of occupants.
There is also a much larger opportunity in real estate data. Land records and digital platforms, for instance, represent areas where AI could play a meaningful role in organising, analysing and making complex information more accessible. Given the scale and complexity of land and property data in India, the ability to bring intelligence and structure to fragmented information could have implications far beyond individual real estate projects.
Construction is another area where the application of AI is particularly promising. AI in construction management, hardware and construction progress monitoring can provide developers and project teams with better visibility into what is happening on the ground. Technology can help monitor progress, identify deviations and provide more timely information, potentially enabling faster and better-informed decisions. As construction becomes increasingly technology-enabled, the combination of hardware, data and AI could fundamentally change how projects are monitored and managed.
Yet, amid all the enthusiasm, there is an important caveat. The AI label is increasingly being attached to products and services simply because it is commercially attractive. A number of solutions are effectively masquerading as AI to ride the current bandwagon. For real estate developers and technology providers, separating genuine capability from marketing terminology will therefore become increasingly important.
The right question is not whether a solution has AI in it, but whether AI is actually solving a problem better, faster or more efficiently. Technology should respond to a genuine business need rather than being introduced simply because it is fashionable. The temptation to force-fit AI into existing systems and processes could otherwise create unnecessary complexity without delivering meaningful value. This distinction will become particularly important as technology adoption accelerates. Real estate is a capital-intensive industry, and integrating new technologies into established systems can involve significant investments, operational changes and organisational adjustments. The most successful solutions will ultimately be those that can demonstrate a clear business case rather than simply offer a compelling technology narrative.
The next phase of PropTech, therefore, is likely to be less about technology for technology’s sake and more about measurable outcomes. India has the scale of opportunity, an expanding startup ecosystem, increasing investor interest and a real estate market that is increasingly receptive to technological change. The ingredients are already in place. As India moves towards a potential US$1 trillion real estate market by 2030, the industry will increasingly need to think beyond the traditional distinction between the physical and digital worlds. The future is neither purely concrete nor purely code. It lies in the intersection of the two, where concrete meets code, and where technology becomes an integral part of how real estate is imagined, delivered, operated and ultimately valued.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of RealtynInfra. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.
