Ottawa researchers using AI to predict homelessness [Video]

How old are you? What is your gender? Are you Indigenous? Are you a Canadian citizen? Do you have a family?

Those are just a few of the data points that a new artificial intelligence system will use to determine if somebody might be at risk of chronic homelessness in Ottawa, thanks to a team-up with a Carleton University researcher.

The national capital is not the first municipality to use the emerging technology as a tool to mitigate a worsening crisis — London, Ont., previously pioneered a similar project, while in California, Los Angeles has an initiative that identifies individuals at risk of becoming homeless.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

As cities increasingly turn to AI, some advocates are raising concerns about privacy and bias. But those behind the project insist it is just one tool to help determine who …