AI in title and escrow is a ‘force multiplier’ not a ‘job killer’

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become a cornerstone technology for the title and escrow sector, according to Qualia’s newly released State of AI in Title and Escrow 2025 report.

Nearly 90% of professionals now use at least one AI tool — a sign of the technology’s influence moving from novelty to necessity.

The study, which surveyed 631 industry professionals — nearly double the number from Qualia’s 2023 report — found optimism about AI’s benefits climbed 14% in just two years.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they were optimistic or very optimistic about AI’s potential, while 86% expressed at least a neutral stance.

“The structure of the real estate market is changing,” said Qualia CEO Nate Baker. “The title and escrow companies that adopt new technology to significantly reduce operational friction will have a huge advantage.”

From curiosity to core function

Generative AI exploded into mainstream use after OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022, transforming workflows across industries.

The title and escrow field has been no exception. Tasks once considered labor-intensive — such as document processing, data entry and fraud detection — are increasingly automated by AI.

Despite lingering concerns about data security and fraud, most professionals see AI as a force multiplier for productivity rather than a job-killer. Only a small share of respondents cited job loss as a top concern.

“AI can help simplify the process as far as redundancy goes and help us create a smarter workflow,” a survey respondent said. “It can help us enhance the client experience.”

AI growth

The broader technology landscape helps explain the rapid adoption.

Research from METR shows that the length of tasks AI can perform is doubling roughly every seven months.

KPMG’s 2025 global study of 48,000 people found 66% now use AI regularly. Meanwhile, Precedence Research projects the global AI market will soar from $758 billion in 2025 to $3.7 trillion by 2034.

Who’s using what?

Qualia’s findings show that title and escrow professionals aren’t just optimistic — they’re acting on it.

Roughly one-third of respondents said they use AI daily for personal or professional tasks, while another 30% do so weekly.

Common tools include chatbots, predictive text and solutions that streamline title production and escrow management.

While enthusiasm is high, 63% of respondents said they harbor some concern about AI’s risks.

Fraud and data security remain the top issues, though worry about both declined slightly since 2023. Concern about AI-related inaccuracies, however, rose seven percentage points.

Nearly nine in 10 professionals expect AI to change their roles within the next five years. About 29% believe such changes are “very likely,” up from 21% two years ago.

Agentic AI

A new generation of “agentic” AI is beginning to shape how title and escrow companies handle transactions, Qualia added.

Rather than simply generating text or answering questions, these systems can interpret context, make decisions and complete routine tasks with limited supervision.

Qualia’s recently introduced system — Qualia Clear — is one of the first agentic AI tools developed specifically for the title and escrow process.

“Qualia Clear is not just an evolution; it’s a revolution for our operations,” said Barry Finegold, partner at real estate law firm Dalton & Finegold. “This will be completely transformative, allowing, our most experienced people to step away from repetitive tasks and focus on the complex, high-value work that truly serves our clients.”

The technology combines access to transaction data, industry-specific knowledge and the ability to take predefined actions.

In practice, that means AI can conduct preliminary title examinations, verify closing data for accuracy and help monitor transactions for potential fraud, according to Qualia.

AI policies lag behind

Despite widespread adoption, most companies still lack formal AI policies or safeguards, according to the report.

Only 17% of firms reported having one in place — a sharp increase from 6.6% in 2023, but still a minority. For small and mid-sized businesses, developing such frameworks can be burdensome, which is why many turn to technology partners with built-in security and compliance systems.

Experts recommend that firms evaluate AI vendors carefully, prioritizing holistic solutions, robust data protection and systems designed specifically for title and escrow operations.

Vendors are urged to be transparent about whether customer data is used to train models and maintain certifications such as SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001.