• Strategic advisory leadership: Italian real estate investors prioritize tech budget on strategic advisory services (75% vs 68% global), demonstrating preference for expert guidance in technology implementation while maintaining measured approach to AI adoption (80% vs 88% global participation).

• Data-driven investment focus: Italian investors concentrate AI efforts on data-related workflows (56% vs 53% global) and capital projects management (50% vs 49% global), aligning technology investments with core investment decision-making processes and operational excellence.

• Technology-performance conviction. Italian investors show strong consensus (95%) that tech-enabled properties deliver superior performance, driving systematic technology infrastructure investment and AI application prioritization. 

• Partnership-oriented implementation. Italian investors demonstrate preference for external collaboration, with 63% using foundation AI models directly and 50% partnering with large tech companies, indicating strategic approach to accessing specialized capabilities while building internal expertise.
   

To understand how real estate investors are navigating the growing momentum around AI adoption, JLL surveyed over 500 senior decision-makers across 15 markets, including Italy, spanning private, public and institutional investors and investment management firms. The findings reveal how investors are currently experimenting with AI, their key obstacles and the capabilities they will need to remain competitive as AI redefines how real estate businesses create value.

Italian real estate investors demonstrate distinctive approach to AI transformation characterized by strategic partnerships, data-focused applications, and measured implementation. This methodical approach positions Italian investment firms for sustainable technology advancement aligned with core business objectives and risk management requirements.

Throughout 2025, Italian real estate investors are navigating AI adoption with characteristic strategic prudence and emphasis on expert collaboration. Based on insights from JLL's 2025 Global Real Estate Technology Survey, including analysis of Italian investment firm responses, this examination reveals how Italian investors are building technology capabilities through strategic partnerships while maintaining focus on core investment processes and data-driven decision making.

Italian investment teams demonstrate notable preference for strategic advisory services (75% vs 68% global) and comprehensive approach to business priorities, with multiple strategic objectives achieving 90% importance ratings, such as profitability, sustainability and technology capabilities mentioned as priorities. This systematic approach creates a foundation for technology transformation that emphasizes sustainable growth over rapid deployment.

Italian real estate investors mirror global enthusiasm for AI experimentation, with 80% piloting AI applications or planning implementation this year. While slightly below the global average of 88%, this measured adoption reflects Italian investors' characteristic emphasis on strategic preparation and risk management in technology initiatives.

Italian investment firms demonstrate strong preference for comprehensive strategic frameworks, with 95% agreement that technology helps navigate market volatility and that tech-enabled properties deliver stronger performance. This consensus on technology's strategic value creates solid foundation for systematic AI implementation across investment processes.

The Italian approach emphasizes strategic advisory partnerships and systematic preparation, with 90% of firms maintaining technology roadmaps tailored to asset classes and unified technology strategies across real estate functions.

Italian real estate investors have identified three top AI pilot areas, as competitive advantages that directly support investment decision-making and operational excellence, with strength in areas aligned with core investment processes:

Data-related workflows (56% pilot activity) Italian investors demonstrate strong focus on data integration, standardization, and document processing applications. This emphasis on data infrastructure reflects systematic approach to creating reliable information foundations for investment decisions and portfolio management.

Capital projects and development management (50% pilot activity) Italian investment firms prioritize AI applications in development oversight, site selection, and project management. This focus on capital deployment optimization aligns with Italian investors' emphasis on operational excellence and risk management in development activities.

Investment and portfolio management (31% pilot activity) Italian teams apply AI to market analysis, risk modelling, and portfolio optimization, demonstrating careful integration of technology with core investment strategies. While adoption rates show measured approach, the focus on fundamental investment processes indicates strategic priority alignment.

Notably, Italian investors show balanced adoption across operational areas, with leasing and tenant management (38%) and acquisition and disposition processes (31%) receiving significant attention, reflecting comprehensive approach to technology integration across the investment value chain.

Italian investors' systematic approach creates distinctive opportunities for sustainable AI transformation. Investment firms demonstrate strong foundational capabilities while building collaborative frameworks that ensure technology alignment with business objectives and risk management requirements.

Strategic advantages:

• Technology roadmaps for asset classes (95% vs 93% global)
• Unified technology strategies (90% vs 88% global)
• Dedicated technology roles (90% vs 92% global)
• Strategic advisory prioritization (75% vs 68% global)
   

Partnership-driven implementation: Italian investors show preference for collaborative approaches to AI implementation, with 63% using foundation AI models directly and 50% partnering with large technology companies. This external collaboration strategy enables Italian firms to access cutting-edge capabilities while building internal expertise systematically.

This balanced approach reflects Italian investment culture's emphasis on risk management and strategic relationships. By leveraging external partnerships for specialized implementation while maintaining internal control over investment strategy and decision-making, Italian investors accelerate technology adoption while preserving their systematic approach to business development.

Technology foundation drives investment performance

Italian investment firms demonstrate strong recognition of technology's impact on investment performance, with 95% agreement that tech-enabled properties deliver stronger returns. This conviction drives systematic technology infrastructure development and creates platform for sustained AI advancement.

Investment benefits focus: Italian investors prioritize AI applications that directly support business growth and competitive positioning:

• Operational agility improvement: 63% priority, reflecting market volatility management needs
• Investment opportunity identification: 63% priority, emphasizing growth-focused applications
• Development timeline acceleration: 50% priority, supporting capital deployment efficiency
   

The emphasis on growth-oriented applications distinguishes Italian investors from purely cost-focused approaches, demonstrating strategic alignment between technology investment and business expansion objectives.

Italy's strategic partnership approach

Italian real estate investors demonstrate distinctive preference for collaborative technology implementation, with 50% partnering with large tech companies and 44% purchasing specialized real estate AI products. This partnership strategy enables access to advanced technological capabilities while maintaining focus on core investment competencies and strategic control over decision-making processes.

The path forward: strategic depth drives competitive advantage

Italian real estate investors are positioned for distinctive AI transformation through systematic implementation and collaborative relationships. Looking toward 2030, three core priorities will define success:

• Accelerate data infrastructure development by leveraging advisory relationships to upgrade analytics capabilities for enhanced investment decision-making.
• Scale proven pilot applications in data workflows and capital projects management, focusing on expanding validated programs rather than initiating additional experiments.
• Leverage partnership ecosystem systematically to enhance internal capabilities while maintaining operational control over investment processes.
   

Italian investors who successfully combine external technological expertise with internal investment excellence will establish competitive positions in an increasingly technology-driven landscape. The opportunity lies in maintaining the strategic depth and collaborative approach that distinguishes Italian real estate investment while building capabilities that accelerate decision-making and enhance portfolio performance.