Tay Warner Macintosh

Abstract

This project focused on the impact of AI systems on people experiencing homelessness in various contexts, to better understand the impact they have upon people who are experiencing social and digital exclusion. Previous research specifies the necessity of codesign with front-end users, and so I have been working with people I support, aiming to amplify their voices to inform digital and housing support policy for local, national and international organisations. This has included a literature review of previous research and currently ongoing projects for the use of AI housing allocation, organisation administration, digital inclusion, employment and risk minimisation in interventions. Alongside this, a stakeholder analysis covered the current AI landscape in the UK. I used these to inform my research alongside and in collaboration with a focus group composed of people experiencing homelessness and people supporting them. I have worked with this focus group to create a more concrete research picture of the hopes and concerns of people impacted by the implementation of AI in housing support and social work. This has allowed my policy documents to be person-centred and focused on providing representational advocacy to the opinions of the group of people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh.