In this episode of the AI and TechConnect podcast, host Laurent Cochet speaks with James Shearing, Managing Director of RETCON, about the intersection of real estate and technology. They discuss James's unconventional journey into the real estate innovation space, the lessons learned from launching RETCON during COVID, and the mission of the conference to educate and connect industry professionals. James shares insights on current trends in PropTech, the impact of AI, challenges in tech adoption, and the importance of construction technology. He emphasizes the need for the industry to attract diverse talent and the value of fostering relationships among stakeholders.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Innovation
02:08 James Shearing's Journey into Real Estate
05:33 The Birth of Redcon
09:47 Redcon's Mission and Value Proposition
12:45 Choosing Impactful Speakers
14:33 Current Trends in PropTech
21:26 Challenges in Tech Adoption
23:52 The Need for Construction Technology
26:38 Looking Ahead: Future of Real Estate
30:20 Advice for Founders and Executives
34:41 Quickfire Questions and Insights
Takeaways
James Shearing's journey into real estate was non-traditional and passion-driven.
COVID led to the launch of RETCON, filling a gap in the industry.
Adaptability is crucial as the conference evolves year over year.
The mission of RETCON is to educate and connect industry professionals.
Investing in stakeholders is key to the success of the conference.
AI is a major trend, but its practical application is still developing.
Organizational buy-in is a significant challenge in tech adoption.
Construction technology is an underrepresented but vital area in real estate.
The industry needs to attract more tech talent from outside real estate.
Fostering relationships across different property types can drive innovation.
Keywords
real estate, innovation, PropTech, RETCON, AI, technology, conference, trends, challenges, construction tech, AI InterConnect
