Using AI to Assist Those Experiencing Homelessness in Austin

Source: Gov Tech Published: July 17, 2020

MetroLab Network has partnered with Government Technology to bring its readers a segment called the MetroLab Innovation of the Month Series, which highlights impactful tech, data and innovation projects underway between cities and universities. If you’d like to learn more or contact the project leads, please contact MetroLab at info@metrolabnetwork.org for more information.

In this month’s installment of the Innovation of the Month series, we explore a collaboration between the University of Texas at Austin and the city of Austin, involving leveraging AI to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness. MetroLab’s Ben Levine spoke with Sherri R. Greenberg from the UT-Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs; Min Kyung Lee, Stephen C. Slota and Kenneth R. Fleischmann from the UT-Austin School of Information; James Snow from the city of Austin Public Works Department; and Jonathan Tomko from the city of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department about the background and development of their project.

Ben Levine: Can you describe the origin and objective of this project and who has been involved in it? 

Ken Fleischmann: This project is funded by Good Systems, a University of Texas Grand Challenge. Good Systems is one of the three Bridging Barriers Grand Challenges at the University of Texas at Austin. Bridging Barriers is a Presidential initiative, funded by the Provost’s Office and administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The goal of Good Systems, of which I am founding chair, is to design AI technologies that benefit society. We define good systems as human-AI partnerships that address the needs and values of society. 

Read more here.