'Explainable AI' predicts homelessness in Ontario city - Cities Today - Connecting the world's urban leaders

The City of London in Canada is implementing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool it has developed internally to predict and prevent homelessness. The Chronic Homelessness Artificial Intelligence (CHAI) model uses machine learning to forecast the probability of an individual in the city's shelter system becoming chronically homeless within the next six months – that is, remaining in the shelter system for more than 180 days in a year. In July, 312 people in London were chronically homeless. The tool was developed in-house with support from a consultant, and could help other cities – particularly those in Canada – deploy similar systems quickly. The CHAI model grew out of London's adoption of the federal Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), which is designed to provide a clearer picture of homelessness in communities and support organisations to work collaboratively.