Zillow Has Gone Wild—for AI

Wired

by Steven Levy

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Zillow's CEO, Jeremy Wacksman, is betting on AI to transform the struggling real estate giant. Despite a stagnating housing market, Wacksman views AI as a key opportunity rather than a threat. Zillow is integrating AI across its operations, from enhancing home search features to automating workflows for agents. This strategic pivot aims to reinvent how people interact with the platform, potentially making it more user-friendly and efficient. The company has long utilized AI, most notably in its "Zestimates" tool, which calculates a home's value. More recently, Zillow has invested heavily in advanced technologies like SkyTour, powered by Gaussian Splatting, to create 3D renderings of properties from drone footage. Another feature, Virtual Staging, uses AI to furnish homes digitally. However, this raises concerns about authenticity, with Wacksman emphasizing the need for clear disclosure and watermarking to maintain trust. Zillow is also exploring AI-driven tools like Zillow Immerse, a VR experience on Apple's Vision Pro. While initially promising, this feature has faced limited adoption. Despite some setbacks, Wacksman remains optimistic about AI's potential to boost productivity internally, such as automating customer support and enhancing coding efficiency for developers. As the real estate market lags and Zillow's valuation drops, Wacksman sees AI as a lifeline. The company's efforts highlight how tech innovation can address industry challenges, offering lessons for other sectors navigating the AI revolution. Whether Zillow can successfully leverage AI to redefine home search and ownership will be crucial for its future. Zillow's journey underscores the broader impact of AI on industries worldwide. By embracing advanced technologies, companies like Zillow are not only enhancing their operations but also reimagining customer experiences. The balance between innovation and authenticity remains a key challenge, as does ensuring users trust AI-enhanced tools. Wacksman's focus on AI as an enabler rather than a threat positions Zillow at the forefront of this transformative shift in real estate.

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Originally published on Wired on 2/13/2026