Body Shop Owners Unhappy with Insurers' AI Repair Estimates
During the pandemic, insurers accelerated the use of AI and photo-based tools to estimate car repair costs. Body shop owners say the estimates are often inaccurate, missing hidden damage and leading to more time haggling over prices. The insurance industry acknowledges the technology is new and evolving, but repairers argue it cannot replace in-person inspections.
- Company involved
- Various insurance companies
- AI system involved
- AI-based photo estimation tools (e.g., CCC Smart Estimate, Tractable)
1 source article · read the reporting →
Microsoft's How Old app gives inaccurate age estimates, becomes meme
Microsoft demonstrated its face-recognition API at the Build conference on April 30, 2015, with a demo app called How Old that estimated ages from photos. Users quickly found the estimates were often wildly inaccurate and began mocking the app on social media. Microsoft acknowledged the inaccuracy and said it would improve the underlying technology.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- How Old
8 source articles · read the reporting →
TransUnion AI tenant screening denied 75-year-old man apartment due to mistaken littering conviction
Chris Robinson, then 75, applied for a senior living apartment in California. The property manager used an AI screening program from TransUnion, which assigned him a low score based on a mistaken conviction for littering that belonged to a different person with the same name in Texas. Robinson lost the apartment and his application fee. A federal class-action lawsuit against TransUnion moved toward a $11.5 million settlement in 2023.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Insurer drops California homeowner after aerial photo analysis
Cindy Picos was dropped by her home insurer after the company used aerial photos to assess her roof. The insurer refused to let her see the photos, and she believes her roof is in fine shape. The incident highlights the growing use of drones and aerial imagery by insurers to inspect properties without in-person visits.
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Roblox's AI age verification misidentifies users' ages
Roblox launched an AI-powered age verification system that estimates users' ages from facial scans. The system has misidentified many users, placing children in adult categories and adults in teen categories, and has been tricked with avatars or altered faces. Users report loss of chat access and privacy concerns, and age-verified accounts are being sold online. Roblox acknowledged the issues and said it is working on solutions.
- Company involved
- Roblox
- AI system involved
- AI-powered age verification system
5 source articles · read the reporting →
