Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the real estate industry and make the homebuying process much more transparent, AI-driven startup Localize believes. Headquartered in New York City, Localize was founded in Israel in 2012 and also has offices in Tel Aviv. The startup, which operates in Israel under the name Madlan, launched in the United States in 2019 and began working with real estate agents and brokerages earlier this year. It has developed an AI- and big data-based platform that enables both buyers and brokers to streamline house-hunting, a traditionally low-tech process. "Our goal is to reinvent homebuying," Localize President and Chief Operating Officer Omer Granot told The Media Line.

Despite being AI powerhouse, Israel's academic institutions find themselves outpaced by thriving industry as many students turn to online classes Israeli universities are struggling to keep up with the demand for academic programs in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, amid a severe shortage of skilled workers in the booming sector. There are presently dozens of AI courses and tracks offered at the undergraduate and master's level in academic institutions across the country. However, there is not enough space to accommodate the number of students wishing to enroll. The lack of sufficient academic staff and programs is exacerbating the already-existing tech talent crunch, estimated at roughly 15,000 workers. Katrina Ligett, an associate professor of computer science and head of the new program on Internet and Society at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, says that programs for cutting-edge technologies like AI are still very young and will need time to catch up.