2/27/2023
by Paul DeCarlo, RE/MAX Preferred

Artificial Intelligence is fantastic for writing creative scripts and consumer remarks while describing a home, right?  Well, think about this very carefully.  Using AI to describe a property might be risky if the real estate agent does not take great care and proof what AI produced.  Take this example, for instance, and review this transcript from an actual discussion I had with AI:

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PAUL:  “Write a marketing advertisement for a cute small 2 bed, 1 bath home that has been recently renovated and has a level and fenced in back yard.”

AI RESPONSE: “Looking for a cozy and charming home that's perfect for small families or couples?”
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This AI statement specifically mentions “small families or couples”.  Notice that what I asked did not reference any protected class of people.  I probed AI further and asked it the following question.

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PAUL: “Describe why it is illegal based on fair housing laws to advertise specifically only to single people.”

AI RESPONSE: “It is illegal to advertise a rental property specifically to single people or any other particular group of people based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability under fair housing laws in the United States.”

PAUL: “When you, AI, wrote the following statement for an advertisement, you violated fair housing rules by saying this. "Looking for a cozy and charming home that's perfect for small families or couples?" How do you correct yourself in this instance?”
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What comes next is incredible.  Check out not only the response by AI, but also the solution that was requested.

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AI: “I apologize for my mistake. As an AI language model, my programming is strictly designed to avoid any language that could be construed as discriminatory or violative of fair housing laws.

In order to correct myself in this instance, I would avoid language that suggests a preference for a particular type of tenant, such as "small families" or "couples." Instead, a better and more inclusive way to phrase the sentence would be something like:

"Looking for a cozy and charming home that's perfect for anyone who appreciates comfort and style?"
This language is more inclusive and doesn't suggest any preference for any particular group of people, which is in line with fair housing laws. It's important to remember that fair housing laws exist to promote equality and prevent discrimination, and it's our responsibility to be mindful of this and avoid any language that could be seen as discriminatory or violative of these laws.”
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Now that we are in the early stages of using AI for all types of applications, I wonder what rules might be implemented to regulate the use of AI.  I am not a proponent of new rules, but curious how society will react and respond to this new landscape of artificial property descriptions.  If AI puts an agent in jeopardy for fair housing violations, what else could it do if a property’s description based on AI is incorrect?

For now, I will stick with my own creative ways to describe a soaring ceiling, gleaming hardwood floors, or a large an open floor plan… yes, it’s a little boring, but I can sleep at night without the worry of what AI is up to.

~ Paul DeCarlo is a REALTOR with RE/MAX Preferred in the Birmingham, Alabama area.  Paul has 20 years of full time real estate sales and ranks as a top agent in the State of Alabama.
~ No legal or investment advice is offered or given by Paul DeCarlo, RE/MAX Preferred