The Big Conversation on AI: Key takeaways from our virtual event

Our ‘Big Conversation on Artificial Intelligence’ event explored all aspects of AI, from the benefits to the potential pitfalls – and crucially, how the technology can be applied to UK housing.

Digital transformation is moving at pace, but how can we ensure we’re able to take advantage of its potential while being mindful of the risks for staff and customers? 

That was the focus of our ‘Big Conversation on Artificial Intelligence’, in which a panel of experts from housing and beyond shared their insights into the benefits and potential pitfalls of this rapidly developing technology. 

Here are the main points from the virtual event, which was chaired by our Scotland director, Callum Chomczuk. 

Setting the scene 

Steph Wright, head of the Scottish AI Alliance – a partnership between The Data Lab and the Scottish government set up to oversee the delivery of Scotland’s artificial intelligence (AI) delivery – was on hand to provide an expert overview of the current AI landscape and where housing sits within it. 

“AI is not magic,” she said. “It is really important that you hear that because there are many people out there telling you that it is.

“The question you need to ask as an organisation is, what problem are you trying to solve, and is AI the right technology to solve that?” 

Wright explained that AI is ultimately a tool that can be used to increase productivity and efficiencies, and to assist and “augment you as a human”.

Scottish AI Alliance's Steph Wright provided an expert overview of the AI landscape

When dealing with technology and its potential benefits, it is important not to lose sight of the person at the other end. 

As said by Wright herself: “Your clients, your customers, are people, and you need to keep that at the heart of any decision you make around AI – or any technology for that matter.” 

Innovating with AI 

With the scene set, it was time for Colin Foskett, the UK director of care and support solutions provider CareBuilder, and Graeme Hamilton, innovation officer at Albyn Housing Association, to detail the ways in which they have been putting AI right at the heart of their most innovative projects. 

Foskett and CareBuilder have been working with Edinburgh-based Blackwood Homes and Care on its Peoplehood project, whose aim is to deliver “happier, healthier neighbourhoods”. As part of the project, Blackwood, supported by CareBuilder, rolled out a ‘lifestyle alert’ system to support elderly people in their homes. 

The system uses AI to “disaggregate” energy-usage data collected via a smart meter to show, for example, if a kettle is being boiled or a shower is being used. By collecting and analysing this information, the AI can then establish patterns of data living and detect any unusual breaks in these patterns. If the data shows that an individual is using the shower for much longer than usual, for instance, that could indicate a potential fall, which would then send an alert to family, friends, carers, or the emergency services. 

CareBuilder itself also uses an AI sound detection system, which can detect more than 500 different sounds, from coughing to door-knocking. A lack of, or drop-off in, conversations taking place within the home, for example, could be an indicator of social isolation.

Similar to CareBuilder’s own detection systems, 3,700-home Albyn Housing Association uses sensors to monitor things such as movement, doors and windows opening and closing, toilets flushing, and changes in temperature and humidity. 

The purpose of doing so, again, is to detect changes in habits that could indicate a potential problem – as well as to ensure the individual’s home environment is not adversely affecting their health. 

Through UK funding, Hamilton and his team are also developing a new type of sensor that uses interference with Wi-Fi signals to detect unusual movement or activity within a home. It is hoped that the sensor will be able to detect when an individual has had a fall or may be in cardiac arrest and send out an alert. 

The technology is currently being piloted in 58 homes; though the team are looking at expanding the scheme to around 200 homes in the far north of the Highlands. 

Managing the risks 

While AI can provide many benefits to housing providers, like any technology, it isn’t without risk. One concern put to the panel was around the potential “intrusive” nature of some of the AI initiatives launched by CareBuilder and Albyn Housing Association. 

Foskett said the ability of Blackwood Housing and Care’s AI smart-meter system to collect data on energy usage to establish behavioural patterns “can only happen” with the resident’s permission. On its AI sound-detection system, “again, [there are] very strict permissions about the kinds of sounds that we switch on.” 

On the system’s ability to detect conversations, Foskett said the system can’t actually pick up on the content of the conversation – only that a conversation is happening.

Credit: CareBuilder

Questioning whether residents are generally concerned about how their data is collected and used, he said: “People do expect us to have access to this sort of data. Most people are surprised, for example, that their care provider doesn’t have access to their health data.”

Hamilton agreed that the data collected about residents and from within their homes must be used appropriately, and that residents should understand what their data is being used for. 

“GDPR is fundamental,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re protecting data.” 

He also stressed the importance of developing such technology alongside residents and other parties. Speaking about Albyn’s new sensor system, he said: “It’s been built from the ground up with customers, and it’s been built with people.” 

Scottish AI Alliance’s Wright reminded attendees that AI is not unique in its ability “to affect people’s rights or invade people’s privacy”. 

Managing the cost 

Another big question mark hanging over AI in housing is cost. Is it expensive to develop such initiatives? Is it something from which only larger housing providers, who typically have more funds and resources at their disposal, can benefit? 

While the panel agreed that developing and implementing new AI initiatives can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be. 

“It goes back to seller organisations joining up with larger organisations to make these solutions more affordable,” said Foskett. “One of the reasons we explored the lifestyle alert service was because deploying lots of sensors in a home is expensive.” 

For Hamilton, it’s important to share successes and build on the work of others in the sector. 

“The affordability can come,” he said, “and it’s not about people going off and doing their own thing...we’re trying to develop [the Wi-Fi sensor project] so that others can come along and benefit.” 

He added: “There’s a real opportunity across the housing sector to build on what different people are up to.” 

• Watch the full recording 
• Take a look at our list of upcoming events

Main image: Golden Days/Shutterstock