Stephen Butler: The mortgage industry’s AI reality check

On this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with AI and enterprise software executive Stephen to discuss where artificial intelligence is actually headed in mortgage lending beyond the hype cycle. Stephen explains why the industry is shifting from flashy AI promises to practical implementation, with the real opportunity centered around augmenting teams, improving workflows, and scaling production more efficiently. The conversation also explores why mortgage tech adoption has historically struggled, and why change management — not technology itself — remains one of the industry’s biggest obstacles. Zeb and Stephen also dive into interoperability challenges, clean data infrastructure, AI drift, and how artificial intelligence could reshape staffing models, lender consolidation, and loan cycle times over the next several years. At its core, this episode is about a simple reality: the lenders investing in AI infrastructure and adoption today may define the next era of mortgage lending. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Stephen Butler's LinkedIn The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire’s Zeb Lowe every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.