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AI is exciting. It's also easy to get ahead of yourself. In this Hot Takes episode, Nathan Jackson, VP of AI at Rentvine, shares how we approach data security, why our OpenAPI makes tools like Fixie possible, and how you can start with AI in a way that sets your business up to win.
Why data security comes first
Rentvine takes data security seriously, and that shapes how we roll out new AI tools. Our MCP is in beta with a small group right now. We'll use it to slowly introduce more people to AI across Rentvine, because we believe it's important for the future of the company and for yours.
Why the OpenAPI matters
Rentvine has always believed in an OpenAPI, and we use it internally too. It gives us access to millions of data points across the platform, which is exactly what lets us plug the right pieces together and build projects like Fixie.
What Fixie does for your maintenance requests
Fixie is the tool we use internally to analyze maintenance requests as they come in. It works through each request so your team doesn't have to start from scratch.
- Figures out what the problem is by analyzing the photos and video that come with the request
- Asks the resident clarifying questions before a work order even lands
- Prioritizes who the request should be dispatched to
The result is less back and forth and an easier day for the property manager. A tool like this isn't easy to build from the outside. It depends on the breadth of data behind the OpenAPI, and that's why we can build things internally that expand what you can do in Rentvine.
Build it yourself or suggest it to Rentvine?
Before you take on an AI project, look at how much data you'll actually need to solve the problem. Then ask yourself one question: is this something I should suggest as a feature to Rentvine, or is it something I can do myself? If the project needs a wide view across the platform, it may belong with us. If it's focused and contained, it may be a great one to tackle on your own.
Start small and stay safe
A few takeaways from our recent AI session for property managers:
- Use planning mode before you build anything.
- Understand the data you're going to use, and ask whether you can touch it safely.
- Know which systems you'll impact, and whether you're tying two systems together or working with just one.
- Start with a simple, low-stakes automation first.
Here's an easy first project. Find out how many leases are expiring next month. Set up an automated email through a Claude Cowork session that pulls data from the Rentvine API, analyzes it, and sends you a summary. Get comfortable with how these systems work on the easy problems before you move to the hard ones.
Be cautious, and keep learning
This isn't about fear. Nathan is a big proponent of AI and always will be. But the more he learns about it, the more cautious he thinks we all need to be. Every week, customers contact us after doing something with AI that takes a lot of time to recover from, and some of it can't be recovered easily.
We want your business to thrive, and we don't want you to hurt yourself in a way you can't undo. AI is a fun tool and the world is changing fast. Be careful, stay curious, and keep learning. We're doing the same thing here at Rentvine.
