The obstacle to effective digitization of the real estate market is no longer technology, but people themselves

The real estate market is on the cusp of a revolution driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence. Technology is no longer merely a supplementary tool, but the driving force that has the potential to fundamentally transform the market, from design to operations. The Proptech Hungary 2026 conference, taking place for the seventh time on May 14, showcases precisely this paradigm shift, focusing on the motto “Build, rent, and operate smartly!” At the event, domestic and international experts will discuss future proptech trends, including autonomous buildings, digital twin case studies, and real-world AI solutions for the real estate market.

Proptech Hungary: Seven Years at the Forefront of Innovation

As the founder of proptech.hu and the main organizer of the conference, Zoltán Kalmár has been showcasing and highlighting trends and best practices in real estate innovation for seven years now. The events he organizes focus on education, technology, and innovation every year. As Zoltán Kalmár points out, we have seen exponential interest in the topic in recent years, and in many cases, in-house digitization projects have been launched, AI software has been tested, and there are even case studies available—in some instances, with calculable returns on investment. But this is just the beginning, as there are still plenty of exciting developments ahead of us.

However, the biggest obstacle is not the availability of technology, but rather organizational mindset and resistance—primarily mistrust and a lack of competence. These factors all hinder genuine renewal, since a good idea alone is not enough if the organization is not prepared to embrace it. This idea is the motto of this year’s conference, where once again numerous new and outstanding speakers, topics, and ideas will be featured both on stage and in the exhibition hall.

Smart Buildings 2.0 – Building Intelligence Goes Beyond BMS

While smart cities were under the microscope last year, this year the focus is on smart buildings—if such a thing even exists. Many people claim to have developed a smart building, but we need to clarify the terminology: just because a building has a BMS system or access control gates doesn’t automatically make it smart. In the Smart Buildings 2.0 section, however, they will attempt to demonstrate how to design and construct such a building, what obstacles and difficulties arise, and why it is still worth equipping a building with sensors and energy-saving automation systems. The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoT can revolutionize predictive maintenance, significantly reducing operating costs and even increasing efficiency.

Data-driven operations—and data-driven decision-making in general—are not new to the real estate market, but in many cases, real-time data must be structured in order to actually make decisions. The question arises as to whether a zero-carbon, fully energy-optimized building exists, as the technologies of zero-emission buildings, as well as investor and tenant expectations regarding ESG and sustainability data, come into focus. Proptech solutions play a key role here in reducing the environmental footprint of real estate and achieving sustainability goals.

Digital Construction & BIM-to-FM

By 2026, the digitization of the construction industry will no longer be a separate segment but will be organically integrated into operations. In the second half of the conference, we will examine the topics of digital twins and BIM. The spread of technology also brings new risks: data security, standardization, and collaboration among market players have become key issues. True efficiency can only be achieved through a shift in mindset, where software, data, standards, and organizations operate within a shared ecosystem.

Another major problem is that the real estate value chain has become fragmented; even professionals now speak of separate planning, construction, and operations. Since a building’s life cycle—or, in this case, its iteration—is a very long process, it is difficult to introduce learning mechanisms across the entire life cycle in the real estate industry, even though there would be a clear need for them.

The Digital Twin represents the next step in innovation; it is no longer merely a model, but a real-time, dynamic replica of building operations. While there are still very few practical examples in Hungary, we would like to showcase international solutions at the conference. In addition, key topics will include energy optimization and other simulations, as well as the sensitive aspects of smart building systems: security and cybersecurity issues. But most studies overlook the most sensitive issue: the human factor—that is, the user who seeks to override the system, which may conflict with our operational criteria; the human, who is unpredictable, unlike automation.

The integration of technological solutions, along with IoT solutions for the construction industry, enables more efficient project management, more cost-effective construction, and optimized operations.

Artificial Intelligence: From Design to Operation

By 2026, artificial intelligence will no longer be merely a futuristic concept, but will offer fully functional, integrated solutions in the real estate market. According to experts, in the future, the human who controls and prompts the AI will once again become more valuable. Through numerous practical examples, we would like to demonstrate the application areas of generative AI, from design to operation.

AI-based design (layout optimization, architectural generation) opens up new possibilities for creative and efficient use of space. AI also plays a key role in CAPEX/OPEX decision-making, helping investors analyze risks and optimize portfolios. In addition, AI assistants for customer relations and tenants improve the user experience and automate communication, further increasing efficiency and transparency.

Let’s meet at the 7th Proptech Hungary 2026 Conference!

The Proptech Hungary 2026 Conference clearly demonstrates that the real estate market is on the cusp of a technological revolution. Smart buildings, data-driven operations, digitized construction, and the integration of artificial intelligence are not merely tools for increasing efficiency; they are bringing fundamental changes to every segment of the industry. The players who will succeed are those who recognize these trends and proactively incorporate the latest proptech solutions into their strategies to build, lease, and operate smarter. Don’t get left behind—be part of the future!

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