Brian Tepfer and Jibin George Discuss the Future of AI in Real Estate With RISMedia

Quick Answer: PropStream CEO Brian Tepfer and Chief Technology Officer Jibin George recently joined RISMedia for an interview exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping real estate technology. Their discussion covered PropStream’s latest AI-powered product enhancements, the importance of thoughtful AI implementation, the role of human judgment, and why AI should help real estate professionals work more efficiently rather than replace the human relationships at the center of the industry.

Clip from RISMedia interview featuring Brian Tepfer and Jibin George

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday workflows across real estate, but simply adding AI to a product does not automatically make it more useful.

That was one of the central themes when PropStream CEO Brian Tepfer and Chief Technology Officer Jibin George recently spoke with RISMedia for its Harnessing the AI Juggernaut cover story, which brought together technology leaders to examine the myths, realities, and future of artificial intelligence in real estate.

Throughout the conversation, Tepfer and George discussed how PropStream is approaching AI both within its products and behind the scenes, why human oversight remains critical, and how real estate professionals can use AI to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on activities that require human expertise.

To read the full cover story, check it out here!

Making Property Research Faster and More Accessible With AI

One of PropStream’s biggest areas of focus has been using AI to simplify property research.

PropStream offers more than 160 property search filters, giving experienced users significant control over how they identify properties and leads. For someone newer to examining property data, however, determining which filters to combine can take time.

That challenge helped inspire AI Search, which allows users to describe the types of properties they want to find using natural, everyday language.

“Our AI search will let the users describe what they're looking for in plain, everyday language, and the system will translate that into a combination of filters with the help of AI, so you can get to the desired results much faster and more easily,” George explained.

Rather than creating an entirely different search experience, AI helps users interact more easily with the powerful search tools already available within PropStream.

George also highlighted the PropStream Intelligence Assistant, which can work alongside property data and analysis tools to help users interpret information and evaluate potential opportunities more efficiently.

The common goal behind both tools is straightforward: reduce the time spent navigating complex data so users can move more quickly from research to decision-making.

AI Is Also Changing How PropStream Builds Technology

PropStream’s AI strategy extends beyond customer-facing features.

George explained that the company is also incorporating AI into its software development processes, including using it to assist engineers in writing code and to increase development efficiency.

But greater automation does not mean eliminating oversight.

“There are human gates at every step of the process to make sure we are reviewing every single line of code,” George said. “We are not just vibe coding.”

That distinction reflects a broader philosophy behind PropStream’s AI implementation: AI can accelerate work, but people remain responsible for evaluating its output.

Instead of replacing engineers, PropStream is helping its engineering teams learn how to incorporate AI into their existing workflows, creating new skills while keeping human expertise at the center of development.

AI Needs to Solve a Real Problem

One barrier to greater AI adoption in real estate, Tepfer explained, is that many professionals have already experimented with AI tools that failed to deliver meaningful results.

“The biggest challenge for a lot of real estate professionals in adopting AI is that they're not seeing the value and how it helps them in their daily workflow,” Tepfer said.

For technology companies, thoughtful implementation is particularly important.

Adding AI simply because it is popular can lead to disappointment and erode confidence in the technology. Instead, PropStream’s approach is to identify specific areas where AI can remove friction, provide useful context, or help users reach an outcome more efficiently.

“That’s what we’re trying to train our users on—that this is a valuable tool for you to do your job more efficiently and enhance your output,” Tepfer explained.

In other words, successful AI implementation should not begin with the technology itself. It should begin with a clear understanding of the problem AI is being asked to solve.

AI Should Enhance Human Judgment, Not Replace It

Despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, both Tepfer and George emphasized that PropStream does not view AI as a substitute for human judgment.

“We do not replace human judgment in our process or in our product,” George said.

Human oversight remains part of how PropStream develops and presents AI-powered experiences, and users are encouraged to apply their own judgment before making important decisions.

That also means being transparent about AI’s limitations.

PropStream regularly reminds users to evaluate AI-generated information carefully, verify important details, and be mindful of what they share with AI systems.

For George, responsible adoption also extends internally.

“We don't have any plans to cut any jobs,” he explained. “We are actually teaching our engineers a new way of development.”

Rather than treating AI as a replacement for employees, the company is approaching it as another tool teams can learn to use effectively.

AI Can Handle Tasks, but It Can't Replace the Agent

That same principle applies to real estate professionals.

Tepfer expects AI to improve and automate repetitive tasks, but he does not believe it can replace the role agents play in major real estate transactions.

“AI will replace and improve tasks, especially rote tasks. But AI will not replace the agent,” Tepfer said.

Buying or selling a home is often a highly personal and emotional experience. Clients may need someone who can interpret circumstances, explain options, negotiate, provide reassurance, and guide them through decisions with empathy and context.

“You want someone who can guide you with confidence and clarity through what may be one of the most challenging times in your life,” Tepfer explained. “AI is interpretive, and people are contextual.”

AI can still play an important role by handling less personal tasks more efficiently. If technology can reduce the time agents spend searching for information, organizing data, or completing repetitive work, that can leave more time for prospecting, advising clients, building relationships, and ultimately growing their businesses.

The Real Estate Industry Is Still Early in Its AI Transition

Artificial intelligence is developing quickly, and Tepfer believes the industry should expect it to become increasingly embedded in everyday tools and workflows.

“I think people are being naive about the ubiquity of where AI is going to be in the next few years,” he said. “At some level, AI will be ingrained in everything we do on a daily basis.”

For real estate professionals and technology companies alike, the question is increasingly less about whether AI will become part of their workflows and more about how they can use it responsibly and productively.

At PropStream, that means continuing to explore where AI can simplify complex processes, improve the property research experience, accelerate development, and help users spend more time on the work where human knowledge and relationships matter most.

As Tepfer put it, “The more agents can utilize AI and recognize that it is a tool to do their jobs better, the bigger advantage they have in putting themselves out there in the market.”

Watch a clip from the RISMedia interview or read the full cover story in RISMedia magazine to hear Brian Tepfer and Jibin George discuss PropStream’s approach to AI, the future of real estate technology, and what responsible AI adoption could mean for the industry.

Want to see PropStream’s AI tools like AI Search and the Intelligence Assistant yourself? Activate your 7-day free trial or log in today!