AI-Powered Scams: Emerging Threats and How to Protect Yourself!
July 2, 2024
Cyber Beau Cultivating Connections: Tokelau’s Musical Maestro Sione Fai’s Symphony of Tradition and Progress!
July 2, 2024
AI now takes over property management. What will the future of the property market look like?
Landlords Turn to AI for Tenant Management
Landlords are increasingly using AI chatbots to manage tenant interactions, from handling inquiries to chasing rent payments (Futurism). According to The New York Times, companies like EliseAI, which services about 2.5 million apartments in the US, are providing these AI tools. These chatbots are designed to be as humanlike as possible, sometimes so effectively that tenants ask for them by name. However, not all tenants are happy with this automation, feeling that it diminishes the personal touch in dealing with significant commitments like signing leases.
Mixed Reactions from Tenants
Many tenants find the AI interactions frustrating and impersonal. For instance, Ray Weng, a software programmer, shared that speaking to an AI about renting often resulted in vague or repeated answers. Even in-person visits were automated, with self-guided tours replacing human interactions. Some tenants feel that relying on AI indicates landlords’ lack of care. Despite the convenience of 24/7 availability, the automated responses can sometimes be inadequate, such as when a chatbot sends a video on finding a water shut-off valve instead of providing immediate help with a plumbing issue.
Ethical and Practical Concerns
The use of AI in customer service roles like property management raises ethical questions. There’s a risk of chatbots providing incorrect information or making promises that can’t be fulfilled. For example, Air Canada faced legal issues when its AI incorrectly assured a customer about a bereavement refund policy. Additionally, there’s debate over whether chatbots should disclose their AI nature upfront. Currently, there are no laws requiring this, but experts suggest transparency could help maintain tenant trust. As AI continues to integrate into property management, balancing efficiency with genuine human interaction remains a challenge.
(Visit Futurism for the full story.)
*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
