Michael Anthony initially had doubts, but it was the unconventional design of the child’s bunk bed that ultimately gave away the artificial nature of the images. The intersecting ladders on the bed, a peculiar choice no human would make, were a telltale sign reminiscent of typical AI-generated anomalies.
As a 28-year-old software engineer shared with VICE, he began to sense something amiss as he scrolled through the images, eventually realizing the discrepancies. Initially attributing the oddities in the Rightmove listings to overzealous photo manipulation by an estate agent using Photoshop, his perspective shifted when online observers suggested AI involvement. Reflecting on the situation, he admitted, “To be completely honest, I thought it was pretty impressive.” Undoubtedly, AI technology has made significant strides in the past year.
This incident shed light on a burgeoning trend in the real estate industry: the integration of AI in generating listing images. Agents are increasingly enhancing property advertisements with AI-generated embellishments, transforming dreary rental spaces into IKEA catalog-worthy scenes akin to a surreal version of The Sims.
While the practice of online staging, wherein fictitious elements are added to real estate photos, is not new, the recent shift towards utilizing generative AI tools has revolutionized the process. With the advancement of AI technology, real estate professionals no longer rely on costly image artists or subpar Photoshop skills to enhance property visuals.
Although specific details about this emerging trend are scarce, there is a noticeable uptick in AI-infused advertisements on popular real estate platforms like Rightmove and Zoopla. Industry insiders revealed to VICE that as the costs associated with AI decrease, its utilization is expected to become more widespread. In fact, one of the UK’s leading estate agents disclosed that they already offer third-party AI enhancement resources to their clients.
AI-Generated Image of a Child-Sized Burner in a Home. Image: Zoopla
Some agents have experimented with popular AI image generators like Dall-e and Midjourney to “improve” property photos. However, the outcomes often border on the absurd, such as instances where AI envisioned bookcases filling every corner of a room and placed a stove at an oddly child-friendly height. Companies like Virtual Staging AI, ModelProp, and Gepetto have capitalized on this technology, branding themselves as providers of advanced virtual staging solutions.
In practical terms, Virtual Staging AI’s CEO, Michael Bonacina, highlighted the value proposition for estate agents and landlords who can access the image generation app for a monthly fee. With a rapidly growing user base, including UK-based agents, the platform churns out a staggering 500,000 images per month, enabling users to transform vacant spaces into visually appealing settings.
Navigating through the sea of property listings, it can be challenging to discern genuine furnishings from digitally altered images. Some UK listings prominently feature Virtual Staging AI’s work, evident from the company’s name integrated into the filenames of edited photos. While anomalies in AI-generated visuals can often be identified through careful scrutiny, the technology continues to evolve, posing challenges in distinguishing between staged and unaltered images.
Despite the benefits of AI in enhancing property visuals, concerns have been raised by Renters Union Acorn regarding its broader implications in the real estate sector. Beyond the realm of false furnishings, AI algorithms are increasingly employed to craft property descriptions, potentially leading to unfair practices such as unjustified rent hikes and deposit exploitation, particularly affecting vulnerable tenants.
Nick Ballard, the head organizer of Acorn, warned against the unethical exploitation of AI technology by landlords and agents, emphasizing the need to safeguard the interests of tenants amidst a competitive and unaffordable housing market. Whether through deceptive visual representations or manipulative pricing strategies, the pervasive use of AI in real estate poses challenges that demand greater scrutiny and regulatory oversight.
