askporter recognises that the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be guided by accessibility and inclusivity. AI has the potential to either significantly accelerate the inclusion of diverse populations, like people with disabilities, or inadvertently create new barriers. This post highlights key industry insights and tenant needs, demonstrating why a human-centric, accessible approach to PropTech is not just ethical, but a core driver of business success and improved tenant engagement.
Industry View: AI Adoption is High, but Governance is Nascent
The built environment and PropTech sectors are rapidly embracing AI, but the focus on ethical implications, especially AI and accessibility, is still maturing.
Key Industry Statistics:
- High AI Adoption Expectations: An estimated 78% of PropTech industry leaders anticipate integrating AI into their operations in the next few years. The global AI real estate market is projected to skyrocket from $2.9 billion in 2024 to $41.5 billion by 2033 (Source: Munroe K, Source: Artsmart.ai).
- Widespread Use in Customer Service: Among large real estate businesses, 71% report using AI in customer services, while 69% use it in operations (Source: Dentons). This adoption directly impacts how accessible tenant engagement channels are.
- The Governance Gap: The adoption of AI is rapid, yet a lack of robust governance is noted. While over half of organizations in the built environment have adopted organizational AI policies, only 20% have implemented policies that include guidelines for ethical implications, safety measures, and related aspects (Source: Pinsent Masons).
- The Business Case for Inclusion: Companies that focus on inclusive design have been shown to have double the net income of their peers. Accessible digital experiences also typically have higher engagement rates and better SEO results (Source: Kontent.ai, citing Accenture).
Tenant Needs: Barriers, Frustration, and a Desire for Trust
Survey data from users of assistive technology and general consumers reveals that existing digital barriers are widespread and highly frustrating, highlighting the critical need for a focus on inclusive design in PropTech.
Key Tenant-Centric Statistics:
- Widespread Digital Barriers: 89% of participants reported encountering accessibility issues that make it challenging to interact with websites or other digital experiences offered by brands (Source: Acquia).
- The Cost of Exclusion: When faced with accessibility challenges, 42% of respondents would discontinue use of the brand's services, and 62% would consider switching to a competitor with better accessibility features (Source: Acquia).
- AI Challenges for Users with Disabilities: Half (50%) of respondents with disabilities who have engaged with AI technology encountered barriers or challenges when using it due to their disability (Source: Fable).
- Lack of Representation: Only 7% of respondents believe there is adequate representation of people with disabilities in the development of AI tools (Source: Fable).
- The Demand for Transparency: Tenants appreciate the speed of AI but want to know when they are interacting with AI rather than a person. Providers who are upfront about their use of AI tend to see higher acceptance levels (Source: Housing Digital).
Key Takeaways and The askporter Mandate
For askporter and the wider PropTech community, these statistics reveal a clear mandate: AI must be developed with inclusive design at its core. This means not just checking a compliance box, but embedding accessibility into the very foundation of the technology and, crucially, the user experience.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive AI Future:
- Prioritise Governance: We are committed to strong internal AI governance that explicitly addresses ethical use, safety, and accessibility from the initial development stages.
- Design for All: We actively strive to build solutions that lower barriers to tenant engagement, ensuring our AI acts as a smart, accessible assistant for people of all abilities.
- Maintain the Human Touch: We ensure AI handles routine, high-volume queries efficiently, but always supports—and never replaces—the empathetic human staff needed for complex, sensitive, or personal tenant engagement. Transparency in AI-tenant interaction is key to building trust.
askporter is dedicated to ensuring that the future of property management is one where technology empowers everyone.
Ready to Build an Accessible and Efficient Property Future?
See how askporter's AI platform integrates inclusive design principles, ensuring every interaction is accessible, intuitive, and consistent for all users.
Our approach is built on accessibility, clarity, and simplicity, creating experiences that work for everyone, whatever their ability, device, or situation.
These principles shape how we design and develop our technology, helping us remove barriers and make property management fairer and more efficient for all.
This enables:
- Immediate 24/7/365 Support: Instant, multi-channel, and multi-language assistance that ensures all tenants, regardless of ability, get a rapid response.
- Reduced Friction: Automated, streamlined workflows built on accessible design patterns that cut out confusing, time-consuming steps for reporting repairs and managing issues.
- Improved Satisfaction: Experiences designed for everyone, helping your human team on complex issues and sensitive tenant engagement, boosting overall service quality and trust.
[Click here to book a demo and explore our AI-powered, inclusive PropTech solutions today!]
