Sensor Tower State of AI 2026 Report: Global Time Spent on Generative AI Apps Projected to More Than Double Year-Over-Year

Why this matters

The rapid acceleration in consumer engagement with generative AI applications, as highlighted by Sensor Tower’s latest report, signals a pivotal shift for institutional investors eyeing US retail real estate. The doubling of time spent on AI-driven apps underscores a broader digital transformation reshaping consumer behavior and, by extension, retail fundamentals. For landlords and capital allocators, this intensifies the imperative to reassess the role of physical retail spaces amid evolving omnichannel strategies that increasingly integrate AI for personalized shopping and targeted advertising. From a capital-markets perspective, the surge in AI adoption may recalibrate demand for experiential retail environments that complement digital engagement rather than compete with it. Properties that can embed technology-enabled experiences or serve as last-mile logistics hubs for AI-enhanced e-commerce stand to differentiate themselves in a market still grappling with vacancy and tenant mix challenges. Meanwhile, lenders and equity providers should monitor how AI-driven consumer trends influence retail cash flows and tenant credit profiles, particularly as traditional retail models continue to evolve. Ultimately, the report’s findings highlight AI’s expanding footprint not just in tech sectors but as a structural factor influencing retail real estate’s risk-return profile and capital allocation decisions.

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