A recent analysis of Canadian real estate listings indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in crafting property advertisements. According to a study conducted by Originality.ai, an AI detection firm, more than one-third of rental and property sale ads in Canada during early May 2026 were likely written using AI tools.
The study examined over 15,000 rental and 56,000 sales listings between May 1 and May 14, 2026. It found that approximately 37 percent of these ads showed signs of AI-generated content, while 30 percent were probably authored by humans. The remaining 33 percent of listings were inconclusive because their text fell below the firm’s 100-word threshold for reliable detection.
The use of AI was notably higher in sales listings, with 41 percent flagged as computer-generated, compared to 21 percent of rental listings. This disparity suggests that realtors might be more inclined to rely on AI when preparing descriptions for properties being sold rather than rented.
While AI offers efficiency benefits, its application in real estate advertising has raised concerns. Past incidents of manipulated photos and misleading descriptions created with AI have resulted in fines for some realtors. Nonetheless, proponents argue that AI, when deployed responsibly, can be a practical aid in drafting property descriptions, which are primarily text-focused and less relationship-driven than other aspects of real estate work.
Michael Fraiman, a researcher affiliated with the study, noted that since real estate agents’ roles are largely interpersonal, turning to AI for text creation is a reasonable and defensible practice. Calgary-based realtor Amanda Ku said AI helps her significantly reduce the time spent preparing listings, cutting what traditionally takes three to five hours by about 30 minutes. She added that AI also assists in highlighting neighborhood features such as schools and hospitals, helping to streamline the writing process.
Despite these advantages, Fraiman emphasized the importance of realtors thoroughly reviewing AI-generated content to avoid inaccuracies. He pointed to online communities where users have identified blatantly incorrect property descriptions due to AI “hallucinations.”
The study also identified distinct linguistic patterns that tend to distinguish AI-written ads from those composed by humans. Informal abbreviations like “br” for bedroom and the frequent use of multiple exclamation marks were strongly associated with human authorship. AI-generated texts typically displayed a more neutral, professional tone without emotional emphasis or exaggerated punctuation. Words such as “exceptional” and “convenience” were more commonly found in AI listings, while terms like “must-see,” “super,” and “gorgeous” appeared predominantly in human-written ads.
Geographical variations in AI usage were considerable. Calgary led with 70 percent of listings likely written by AI, whereas Montreal had the lowest rate at just seven percent. Vancouver showed a moderate rate of 31 percent for English-language listings. Experts noted that detection is more challenging in Quebec due to shorter listing descriptions and language differences, both of which can reduce the effectiveness of AI identification tools.
Originality.ai’s findings illustrate how AI is increasingly shaping the real estate market, though evolving detection methods and responsible use remain critical to maintaining trust and accuracy in property advertising.