AI, Relationships & the Future of CRE | Live From the Real Estate Gala Ft. ButterflyMX, Hoya...

Why It Matters

AI is accelerating efficiency and data‑driven decision‑making in commercial real estate, but the human connections cultivated at industry gatherings remain essential for turning tech advantage into profitable deals.

Key Takeaways

• AI drives efficiency in CRE marketing, leasing, and underwriting.
• Prop‑tech firms like ButterflyMX embed AI across product development and support.
• Industry leaders stress consumer‑centric, human‑focused adoption over hype.
• Networking at events accelerates partnerships and deals in commercial real estate.
• AI tools amplify productivity, but human relationships remain indispensable.

Summary

The fourth annual Real Estate Gala in Hudson Yards served as a showcase for how artificial intelligence is reshaping commercial real‑estate (CRE) operations. Hosts Don Tepman and Bob Knackl gathered developers, brokers, investors, and prop‑tech founders to discuss AI’s role in marketing, leasing, underwriting, and financial modeling – the two cost‑center areas where technology can deliver the quickest ROI.

Panelists highlighted concrete use cases: ButterflyMX’s founder Cyrus Clafy described a fully AI‑driven marketing engine, automated customer‑service bots, and AI‑enhanced product development that now powers access solutions in roughly 25,000 buildings. Other speakers, from multifamily developers to AI‑focused legal firms, noted AI’s impact on prospecting, tenant‑mix analysis, and streamlining routine administrative tasks, while cautioning against over‑hyping AI as a job‑killer.

Memorable moments included Clafy’s reference to Steve Jobs’ consumer‑centric philosophy, a pending partnership with the world’s largest e‑commerce platform, and a young broker’s story of securing a $10 million listing after leveraging social‑media branding. The recurring theme was that AI amplifies human effort, but relationships forged at events like the gala remain the engine of deal flow.

For the CRE sector, the takeaway is clear: firms that embed AI across both front‑end (marketing, leasing) and back‑end (valuation, modeling) functions will gain a competitive edge, yet must continue to nurture personal networks to translate technological advantage into tangible transactions.

Original Description

In this special episode of Tangent Proptech, Edward Cohen is on the red carpet at one of the most exclusive commercial real estate events of the year: the Real Estate Gala in New York City. This episode features rapid-fire conversations with founders, investors, brokers, developers, and operators across the proptech and commercial real estate ecosystem.

A big focus of the evening was on AI. Namely, this question: how is AI being used in real estate right now? And possibly more front-and-center: what’s hype and what’s here to stay? From leasing and marketing to underwriting and financial modeling, this episode explores where artificial intelligence is already driving value in real estate, where it’s falling short, and how we can close the gap.

(00:00) - Welcome to the Real Estate Gala Red Carpet Interviews

(02:30) - Cyrus Claffey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrus-claffey-018a234/) (ButterflyMX (https://butterflymx.com/)): AI Across Product, Marketing, & Operations

(06:00) - Zach Molzer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmolzer/) (Molzer Development (https://molzerdevelopment.com/)) & Madi Bremer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/madibremer2/) (CBRE (https://www.cbre.com/offices/corporate/kansas-city)): Networking & AI in Leasing

(08:30) - Gabe Einhorn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-einhorn-55b74822b/) (VryfID (https://www.vryfid.com/)): Content, Consistency, and AI Efficiency

(10:00) - Kaylan Knitowski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylan-knitowski/) (Franklin Street (https://franklinst.com/)): AI Workflows and Competing with Experience

(13:30) - David Auerbach (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-auerbach/) (Hoya Capital (https://www.hoyacapital.com/)): Driving Tech Adoption in Real Estate

(14:45) - Adam Steiner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/admsteiner/) (Rick, Steiner, Fell, and Benowitz (https://www.ricksteinerlaw.com/)): Document Automation & Bridging Tech and Business

(16:45) - Humberto Lopes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hl-dynasty/) (HL Dynasty (https://www.hl-dynasty.com/), Gotham Housing Alliance (https://gothamhousing.org/)): A Human-First Real Estate Perspective

(19:15) - Jovian Lopes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovian-lopes-8148901b4/) (Gotham Housing Alliance (https://gothamhousing.org/)): AI for Research vs Human Relationships

(21:00) - Lauren O’Breza (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-o-breza-0a2758142/) (Foresite CRE (https://foresitecre.com/)): AI in Brokerage & Underwriting

(24:30) - Pablo Barreiro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-marcelo-barreiro-819175342/) (Fortec (https://www.fortecnow.com/)): Simplifying Tech Adoption & the Future of Financing

(26:00) - Shanti Ryle (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantiryle/) (Crexi (https://www.crexi.com/)): AI Data Enrichment & Storytelling Advantage

(30:30) - Rameen Inayat (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameeninayat/) (Ryan (https://ryan.com/)): AI for Admin & Property Tax Insights

(32:00) - Collaboration Superpower: Priya Parker (https://www.priyaparker.com/)

💚 Connect with Tangent:

➡️ Edward Cohen on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3Y6172t)

➡️ Zach Aarons on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachaarons/)

➡️ Tangent on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3fuHcK0)

Disclaimer: Tangent podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advise. Nothing contained on our program constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by Tangent, Camber Creek, MetaProp, or any third party guest to buy or sell any securities, public or private, other financial instruments or funds.

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33095994?utm_source=youtube