Can Storytelling Help Reduce the Suffering of Homelessness?

Homelessness is a pressing issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide. While various approaches and technological solutions have been implemented to address homelessness, the importance of understanding stakeholders' perspectives, including frontline workers and unhoused individuals, cannot be overstated. Recent research has explored the use of AI-powered decision support systems (ADS) in homeless services to prioritize housing resources, shedding light on the valuable insights that stakeholders can offer in system design and implementation.

Stakeholder Perspectives on AI in Homeless Services

A study conducted by Tzu-Sheng Kuo and a team of researchers delved into the perspectives of frontline workers, service providers, and unhoused individuals regarding the use of ADS in homeless services. By utilizing a modified comicboarding method, feedback was gathered on various aspects of the AI system, including its objective, model design, data selection, and deployment. Surprisingly, the study revealed that stakeholders, even without AI expertise, provided valuable and specific feedback that informed the system's design and implementation.

Importance of Stakeholder Engagement

The research findings underscored the significance of engaging stakeholders throughout the AI development lifecycle. Notably, frontline workers and unhoused individuals offered unique perspectives that contributed to a more holistic understanding of the system's impact on homelessness. By actively involving these key stakeholders, AI developers can tailor solutions that better reflect the needs and concerns of those directly affected by homelessness.

Storytelling and Empathy in Addressing Homelessness

Storytelling has long been recognized as a powerful tool for fostering empathy and understanding. By sharing personal narratives and lived experiences, individuals experiencing homelessness can humanize their struggles, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. Through storytelling, the voices of the marginalized are elevated, prompting broader public awareness and support for initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness.

Leveraging Technology for Social Impact

In a parallel study, researchers explored the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) in shifting biased narratives and promoting spatial justice. By offering multi-dimensional perspectives, AR can challenge single stories and create a more inclusive representation of marginalized communities. The study's focus on a youth gun violence prevention project demonstrated how AR can facilitate narrative change and advocate for social equity.

Harnessing Data Insights for Social Good

Additionally, research has investigated the use of social media signals, specifically geotagged tweets related to homelessness, as a proxy for estimating homelessness levels. While this approach offers real-time data insights and potential cost savings, it also highlights practical limitations in solely relying on social media data for measuring homelessness. The correlation between tweet counts and per capita homelessness underscores the complex interplay between online discourse and real-world social issues.

In conclusion, the intersection of technology, stakeholder engagement, and storytelling presents promising avenues for addressing the challenges of homelessness. By incorporating diverse perspectives, leveraging innovative solutions, and promoting empathy through narratives, we can collectively work towards reducing the suffering associated with homelessness and fostering a more compassionate society.