India's real estate sector is on the cusp of a technology-driven transformation, industry leaders said at the second edition of Credai TechCon, held in Kolkata on 26 August 2025. The conference brought together leading technology firms, real estate developers, and sector experts from across the country to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies can make construction faster, more efficient, and more consumer-focused.

Scale Demands Smarter Tools

Credai TechCon Co-Chair Suhel Saraf said the initiative was designed to connect top technology companies with the real estate industry in Kolkata and help developers identify practical, business-ready solutions. He noted that the sector has undergone a fundamental shift in scale over recent years.

'Real estate has changed significantly over the years. Earlier, developers were typically building smaller projects with 25 to 50 apartments. Today, they are developing large residential projects with thousands of units. Managing projects of this scale while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines requires greater adoption of technology,' Saraf said.

He added that the growing size and complexity of residential and mixed-use developments have made technology indispensable for construction management, quality control, and timely project completion.

Delivering on the Homebuyer's Trust

Saraf stressed that since purchasing a home is one of the largest financial commitments in a person's life, developers carry a responsibility to deliver on time and to the promised quality standard. According to him, technology can be the enabler that closes the gap between commitment and delivery.

'Technology adoption is extremely important because it can improve construction quality, help projects get completed on time and ultimately provide consumers with a better residential experience,' he said.

AI in Operations and Maintenance

BuildTrack CEO Balbir Singh Khera argued that AI's role in real estate extends well beyond the construction phase. He outlined a two-step framework: first, systematic data collection on building performance; second, analysis of that data to establish a performance baseline and identify where improvements are required.

'The first step is data collection, where information related to the building is gathered. The next step involves analysing that data and establishing a baseline to understand what normal performance looks like and where improvements may be required,' Khera said.

He added that timely identification of operational issues through AI could help property owners take corrective action, reduce operating costs, and improve the overall efficiency of buildings — benefits that accrue to residents long after the keys are handed over.

What the Industry Is Watching

The Credai TechCon platform is part of a broader push by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (Credai) to accelerate tech adoption across its member base. This is the second consecutive year the event has been held, signalling growing institutional momentum behind the agenda. Notably, this comes as India's real estate sector is navigating post-pandemic demand surges, rising construction costs, and tighter regulatory scrutiny under RERA — all of which make operational efficiency more consequential than ever. Industry observers expect AI-driven tools in project management, predictive maintenance, and consumer experience to move from pilot stage to mainstream adoption over the next three to five years.