AI program helps fight homelessness

The city of Los Angeles, California, uses artificial intelligence to combat an unlikely foe: homelessness. The University of California’s Los Angeles California Policy Lab (CPL) created an AI tool that detects people likely to lose their houses. Then, the program makes payments or offers gift cards to ensure they keep their homes. Many doubt artificial intelligence is a force for good because it often tackles problems limited to cyberspace. Yet, the University of California’s AI project proves that this technology can help people meet essential needs. Everyone should learn more about such projects to encourage other tech companies to help make a positive impact with artificial intelligence. This article will discuss how the AI homelessness prediction tool works. Then, I will share opinions and criticisms regarding this public service technology. How does the AI homelessness program work? Canada’s CBC Radio was one of the first to cover California’s unique way of fighting homelessness. It also explained how the tool was made by the University of California, Los Angeles’ California Policy Lab (CPL). It analyzes over 400 types of records, including emergency room visits, receipts of public benefits, arrests, and other interactions with local systems. Then, the CPL algorithm accurately predicts who is at risk for homelessness within the next 12 months. Moreover, homelessness prevention project personnel receive a list of medical records every three months. They initially keep them anonymous and then match them with corresponding individuals. That allows staff to cold call them. Dana Vanderford, the associate director of homelessness prevention with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, admits these records should be private and personal. Yet, Vanderford said they must use this data to help find those who may lose their houses. She says many don’t reach out to the many referral support programs in Los Angeles because they don’t know where to start. You may also like: How to try Google search AI Some don’t realize the risk of their living situation. Also, the associate director explained, “We have clients who have understandable mistrust of systems. [They] experienced generational trauma. Our clients are extremely unlikely to reach out for help.” Vanderford and her colleagues have aided 560 residents by cold calling those identified by the CPL algorithm. “I believe deeply that there’s a need for targeted prevention programming,” Vanderford stated. “Without the ability to use AI, we don’t have a good shot at targeting these resources