Regional Industry & News

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to help make housing decisions, raising concerns about how algorithms could contribute to discrimination.

The South Bend Human Rights Commission hosted a free workshop Wednesday focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, housing and civil rights.

Katrina Lee, executive director of the South Bend Human Rights Commission, said biased information in an AI system could prevent some applicants from securing housing.

“Their application is being searched by AI. And if there are biases within that program, there are or may be a group of people who will not have housing,” Lee said.

Experts at the workshop said bias could affect applicants before they make it through the tenant-screening process. It could also influence people applying for a home loan if the data used by an AI system is not fair or equitable.

“If you are using a product that has AI in it and it has data in it, ask about the quality of the data,” event speaker Breagin Riley said. “If they can’t tell you where it is from or if it has been updated within the last six months, you are probably introducing bias.”

AI-based tenant screening is already being used in the rental market. A 2024 survey by TechEquity of more than 1,000 renters and 400 landlords in California found nearly two-thirds of landlords received tenant-screening reports that included an AI-generated score or recommendation.

There is currently no comparable statewide survey showing how many Indiana landlords use similar tools. However, experts say concerns about bias and a lack of transparency apply anywhere AI-based housing tools are used.

Real estate agents also attended Wednesday’s workshop. Tamara Harke said she is embracing AI and learning how to use it in her business, including for marketing.

“It is very important to make sure everything we do, marketing-wise, is in compliance,” Harke said.

Experts say businesses that use third-party AI systems are still responsible for checking the data and reviewing the system’s results.

“Even though you have third parties that you are relying on, you also have to test the data and make sure it is still compliant,” Riley and Myra Reid said. “Ultimately, you still may be liable for the decisions you make with that data.”

Advocates say people should know when AI is being used in housing decisions and understand how to challenge a decision they believe is unfair.

Lee encouraged anyone who believes their housing rights may have been violated to contact the South Bend Human Rights Commission for help.

Kennedi Humble will discuss the topic further on the next episode of her podcast, “ The Data Center Debate ,” on Monday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.

Viewers can watch the streamed podcast on the WNDU channel on Roku, AppleTV, Fire TV or their preferred streaming device or service.

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