Brokerage Leaders’ AI Worry Score Rebounds to 6.38 in 2026, Fueled by Agentic AI Concerns

The real estate industry’s contemplation of artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a pivotal moment, with brokerage leaders expressing a renewed sense of apprehension regarding its integration and implications. According to the latest findings from the Delta Media Real Estate AI & Leadership Survey, the average AI "worry score" among these industry leaders climbed back to 6.38 out of a possible 10 in 2026, a notable increase from the slight dip observed in 2025. This rebound suggests that as AI technologies become more sophisticated and autonomous, the industry’s concerns are escalating, particularly around the emergence of agentic AI.

The survey, which has tracked the sentiment of over 100 brokerage leaders annually since 2024, reveals a dynamic evolution in how the industry perceives AI’s role. After a period of perceived concern decline in 2025, where the average worry score dropped to 5.80, the landscape shifted significantly in 2026. The percentage of leaders assigning a high worry score (8, 9, or 10) to AI risk also followed this trajectory, decreasing from 42.4% in 2024 to 33.7% in 2025, before surging back to 37.9% in the most recent survey period. This pattern indicates a growing unease that is intrinsically linked to the advancing capabilities of AI within the brokerage sector.

The Rise of Agentic AI and Escalating Concerns

Michael Minard, CEO and owner of Delta Media Group, the organization behind the survey, attributes this resurgence in worry to the increasing complexity and autonomy of AI applications. "One reason AI worry may be rebounding is that the decisions are getting bigger," Minard stated. "Brokerages are moving beyond simple AI tools toward agentic AI, automation and systems that can take action."

Agentic AI refers to systems capable of performing tasks autonomously, making decisions, and taking actions without direct human intervention. The 2026 survey was the first in the three-year series to specifically probe leaders about these advanced agentic AI tools. While the survey design does not definitively establish a causal link, the introduction of agentic AI into the discussion has undeniably broadened the scope of concerns. New questions are emerging regarding compliance with an ever-evolving regulatory environment, the robustness of data security protocols when AI systems are empowered to act independently, potential liabilities stemming from AI-driven decisions, and the ultimate accountability for these actions. This shift from AI as a supportive tool to AI as an autonomous agent presents a fundamental challenge to traditional operational frameworks.

Demographics Reveal Nuanced AI Apprehensions

The Delta Media survey also highlights significant variations in AI concerns based on demographic factors, particularly gender and the size of the brokerage. These differences underscore that the impact and perception of AI are not monolithic across the industry.

Gender-Based Concerns:

A striking divergence in concerns was observed between male and female brokerage leaders. Female leaders expressed a notably higher level of apprehension regarding compliance and data privacy. Specifically, 71.4% of female respondents identified compliance with real estate regulations as a significant AI concern, compared to 39.1% of their male counterparts. This disparity suggests a heightened sensitivity among women in leadership to the legal and ethical frameworks governing real estate transactions, where AI could introduce new compliance challenges.

Furthermore, data privacy and security were also more pressing issues for women, with 65.7% citing it as a concern, in contrast to 48.4% of male respondents. This could reflect a broader societal trend where women often bear a greater responsibility for safeguarding personal information or a more direct understanding of the potential vulnerabilities associated with data breaches in a highly personal industry like real estate.

Conversely, male leaders were more inclined to voice concerns about the financial implications of AI adoption. Uncertainty surrounding AI costs and the projected return on investment (ROI) was identified as a concern by 51.6% of male respondents, significantly higher than the 28.6% of female leaders who shared this worry. This may indicate a focus among male leaders on the immediate financial justification and scalability of AI investments, perhaps driven by a perceived need to demonstrate tangible economic benefits to stakeholders.

Brokerage Size and Its Impact:

The size of a brokerage firm also plays a crucial role in shaping its AI-related anxieties. The survey identified distinct priorities for large and small firms, reflecting their differing operational capacities and strategic imperatives.

• Large Brokerages (101+ Agents): For firms employing 101 or more agents, the primary concerns revolved around data privacy and security, integration of AI with existing systems, the uncertainty of AI costs and ROI, and the critical need for training agents and staff on new technologies. These larger organizations, with more complex infrastructures and extensive agent networks, are grappling with the technical and logistical hurdles of embedding AI seamlessly into their operations. The sheer volume of data handled by these firms makes data security paramount, while the challenge of integrating disparate technology systems requires significant investment and planning. Moreover, ensuring that a large workforce can effectively adopt and leverage AI tools necessitates comprehensive training programs.

• Small Brokerages (20 or Fewer Agents): In contrast, smaller firms with 20 or fewer agents demonstrated a pronounced focus on regulatory compliance. A substantial 75% of these leaders identified compliance as a key concern. This is understandable, as smaller firms often operate with leaner resources and may lack dedicated legal or IT departments to navigate the intricacies of AI-driven compliance. Additionally, half of the respondents from smaller firms cited training agents and staff as a significant concern, mirroring the challenges faced by larger entities but perhaps with more limited access to extensive training budgets. Data privacy and security, while a concern for 43.8% of these smaller firms, ranked lower than regulatory compliance, suggesting a prioritization of immediate legal adherence over broader data protection strategies, or perhaps a perception that their data footprint is less attractive to malicious actors.

The findings suggest that larger brokerages are primarily concerned with the strategic and operational complexities of widespread AI deployment across multiple platforms and data sources. They are looking at the macro-level challenges of integration, security, and long-term value. Smaller firms, on the other hand, appear to be more focused on the immediate, foundational aspects of AI adoption, particularly ensuring they remain within legal and regulatory boundaries with limited internal technological and governance resources.

Vendor Landscape and the Need for Diligence

Michael Minard also offered advice to brokerages navigating the increasingly complex AI vendor landscape. He emphasized the importance of a rigorous selection process, stating, "AI vendors are not interchangeable. Brokerages need to look beyond features and ask harder questions about security, privacy, compliance, integration and ongoing governance." This advice underscores the critical need for due diligence, as the choice of AI partner can have profound implications for a brokerage’s operational efficiency, legal standing, and overall security posture. The days of simply choosing a vendor based on a shiny new feature appear to be over, replaced by a demand for transparency and demonstrable reliability in core operational areas.

A Three-Year Trajectory of AI Evolution and Concern

The Delta Media Real Estate AI & Leadership Survey provides a valuable three-year snapshot of the industry’s evolving relationship with AI.

• 2024: The initial year of the survey set a baseline with a worry score of 6.50. At this stage, concerns were likely more general, focusing on the nascent stages of AI adoption and its potential disruption. The 42.4% of leaders assigning high worry scores indicate a significant portion of the industry was already acknowledging the potential risks.

• 2025: A notable dip occurred, with the worry score falling to 5.80 and the percentage of high-worry leaders dropping to 33.7%. This period might have been characterized by a phase of experimentation, early adoption of less complex AI tools, or perhaps a temporary reassessment of immediate threats, leading to a more relaxed stance. Some industry observers might have interpreted this as a sign of growing confidence or a belief that initial AI applications were less disruptive than anticipated.

• 2026: The significant rebound to 6.38, with high-worry leaders increasing to 37.9%, signals a renewed and intensified focus on AI’s risks. This resurgence is directly linked to the growing prevalence and sophistication of agentic AI, forcing leaders to confront more profound operational and ethical dilemmas. The industry appears to be moving from a phase of cautious optimism or even mild complacency to a more sober and concerned evaluation of AI’s long-term impact.

Broader Implications for the Real Estate Ecosystem

The findings of the Delta Media survey have far-reaching implications for the entire real estate ecosystem. As brokerages grapple with these evolving AI concerns, several key areas are likely to see significant shifts:

• Regulatory Scrutiny: The heightened concern over compliance and data privacy, particularly among women leaders and smaller firms, is likely to attract increased attention from regulatory bodies. This could lead to the development of new guidelines and regulations specifically addressing AI usage in real estate, impacting everything from lead generation to transaction management.

• Technology Investment Strategies: Brokerages will need to refine their technology investment strategies. The emphasis on integration, security, and agentic AI suggests a move towards more comprehensive and robust AI solutions rather than piecemeal adoption. This may also drive demand for AI solutions that offer clear compliance frameworks and robust data protection measures.

• Agent and Staff Training: The consistent concern regarding training highlights the critical need for upskilling the real estate workforce. As AI becomes more integrated, agents and staff will require training not only on how to use AI tools but also on understanding their capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications. This could lead to new training programs and certifications focused on AI literacy in real estate.

• Vendor Accountability: The call for harder questions from vendors indicates a shift in the buyer-seller dynamic. Brokerages will demand greater transparency and accountability from AI providers regarding security, privacy, and compliance. This could lead to stricter vendor vetting processes and a greater emphasis on long-term support and governance.

• Industry Collaboration: The diverse concerns across different demographics and firm sizes suggest that addressing AI challenges will require industry-wide collaboration. Sharing best practices, developing common standards, and advocating for clear regulatory guidance will be crucial for ensuring that AI adoption benefits the industry as a whole without creating undue risks or exacerbating existing inequalities.

In conclusion, the rebound in AI worry scores among brokerage leaders in 2026, driven by the rise of agentic AI and differentiated concerns across demographics and firm sizes, signals a maturing understanding of AI’s complex role in the real estate industry. As the technology continues its rapid advancement, the focus is shifting from mere adoption to a more critical examination of its implications for compliance, security, financial viability, and the very nature of real estate transactions. The industry stands at a crossroads, where strategic planning, rigorous due diligence, and a commitment to responsible AI integration will be paramount for navigating the future.