Artificial intelligence isn’t some far-off science fiction — it’s already here.  It’s in your pocket, your inbox and the tools you use every day. Whether it’s your 14-year-old asking ChatGPT for help with math homework, a college grad polishing up their resume or the person in line with you scanning their digital concert ticket, AI is here — all around us, changing how we live and work. 

It’s the latest in a line of disruptive game-changers that have reshaped our world, just like the personal computer, the internet, the smartphone and Amazon. Like all of them, AI is a genie that’s not going back in the bottle, and that can feel exciting, or overwhelming, depending on your perspective. But here’s what’s undeniable:  the opportunity to harness it is real, right now and growing by the day.

In the newspaper world, AI sparks real debates around editorial integrity, content authenticity and journalistic ethics — and rightly so. I’ve sat in on many of these forums, and there’s important work still to be done to strike the right balance.  But when it comes to real estate portfolio analysis, market reconnaissance and reducing timelines to monetize underutilized legacy assets, AI is not controversial. It is a critical and competitive advantage.

At BellCornerstone, we recognize that advantage and we’ve put it to work. While some organizations are hesitating and others are only beginning to explore AI, we’ve embedded it across a range of connected processes to streamline analysis, accelerate timelines and drive smarter, data-backed decisions. For our newspaper clients, that means clearer insights, faster execution and real estate strategies aligned with today’s urgent realities.

Here are three ways we’re actively using AI to deliver results for newspapers across the country:

Research and data analysis

AI is a force multiplier for property intelligence. By combining industry data from platforms like CoStar with Bell’s own internal proprietary database and expert insights, we use AI to rapidly evaluate assets, uncover repositioning opportunities and pinpoint high-probability buyers. It helps us spot patterns, identify risks and uncover value where others don’t — and act faster because of it.

Automation and integration

AI reduces friction and accelerates flow.  From needs assessment to marketing automation to deal execution, integrated AI eliminates delays and streamlines every stage of the transaction. By synchronizing platforms and removing repetitive manual tasks, AI delivers a clear speed-to-market advantage. Set it and forget it? AI earns an A+ for that.

Real-time customer engagement

We’re proud to have launched CORA — our Commercial Real Estate Assistant chatbot. CORA is trained to assist clients 24/7, answering questions, surfacing market intelligence and guiding strategic thinking on the fly. She also supports our property listings, generating leads and responding to inquiries instantly and around the clock — even while we sleep.

And this isn’t just novel technology; it’s a strategic accelerant delivering results for newspaper organizations, where the pressure to cut costs, monetize assets and streamline operations has never been higher.  We’ve worked with newspaper companies for years — from major metros to smaller regional publishers. AI enables us to take that experience and supercharge it with faster portfolio analysis, clearer space utilization modeling and sharper financial insights.

In a world where time and resources are scarce, we use AI alongside our expert team of commercial real estate analysts to assess current holdings, forecast sustainability and recommend real estate moves that unlock cash, reduce overhead and improve operational flexibility. 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world around us — including commercial real estate and the newspaper industry. At BellCornerstone, we’re putting AI to work in a connected, responsible and results-driven way.

When cutting-edge technology meets over a century of commercial real estate expertise, the outcomes aren’t just innovative — they’re smarter, faster and more impactful.

That’s the power of BellCornerstone + AI:  Real problems. Real results. Real Smart.

Want to see what BellCornerstone + AI can do for your portfolio? Let’s talk. Reach out to Brian Rossi at brossi@bellcornerstone.com for a confidential, no-obligation conversation that could unlock your next smart move.