Agentic AI Antics

There’s something rather comforting about a McKinsey report. It’s the business world’s equivalent of a mug of builder’s tea: strong, familiar, and likely to provoke a bit of debate in the office kitchen. Their latest, “Seizing the Agent AI Advantage”, is no exception – and, for those of us in property, it’s a timely nudge to look up from the listings and consider what’s coming down the track.

Let’s start with the so-called “Generative AI Paradox”. McKinsey’s researchers found that a whopping 80% of companies have dabbled with generative AI, yet most have seen little to no impact on the bottom line. It’s a bit like buying the latest smart home gadget, only to find you’re still boiling the kettle yourself. The lesson? Testing is vital. No one should expect to flick a switch and watch AI transform their business overnight. The real value comes from rolling up your sleeves, experimenting, and learning what works in your own context.

Next up: Agentic AI as a breakthrough. This isn’t your standard Generative AI – the kind that answers questions quickly for you – instead they’re autonomous, goal-driven systems that can be set a task and left to get on with it. For estate agents, this could mean everything from automating lead qualification to managing viewings or even handling the first stages of negotiation. But – and it’s a big but – simply bolting AI onto existing processes is a missed opportunity. The real magic happens when you step back, break down your workflows, and ask: “If we were starting from scratch, how would we do this with today’s technology?”

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That’s process reinvention in a nutshell. Too many agencies are still shackled to the way things have always been done, often because of legacy CRMs or inherited procedures. AI gives us licence to rethink everything – not just to replace admin tasks with a chatbot, but to redesign the entire journey from applicant to completion.

McKinsey also talk about the “agent AI mesh” – essentially, how these various AI agents communicate and collaborate to achieve a common goal. Think of it as assembling a crack team, each with their own specialism, all working together under your watchful eye as manager. The challenge is to ensure these digital colleagues hand over tasks smoothly, without dropping the baton.

And finally, the human bit. Leadership matters more than ever. It’s not about having a separate “AI strategy” off in a silo; it’s about weaving AI into your business strategy, so it becomes part of the fabric of how you operate. The best agencies will be those where humans focus on what we do best – building relationships, negotiating deals, and adding the personal touch – while AI takes care of the drudgery.

So, as the industry faces another wave of transformation, the message is clear: don’t be afraid to experiment, reinvent your processes, and remember that the future belongs to those who blend the best of human and machine. And, of course, keep reading the Property AI Report Newsletter and listening to the Property AI Report Podcast – there’s plenty more to come!