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've been conducting weekly interviews with tech executives in the housing industry for over a year now, seeking insights on where technology is making a real difference and tracking trends, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). The launch of ChatGPT by Open AI in November 2022 marked the beginning of significant developments. In 2023, mortgage and real estate firms started exploring use cases for AI.

    The past year has seen an incredible acceleration of change, with every executive I've interviewed mentioning the rapid pace of innovation. This speed can be both exhilarating and unsettling, as companies must balance the need to stay ahead with the risk of regulatory scrutiny and consumer concerns. The emergence of new technologies, such as OpenAI's Canvas interface, underscores this dynamic.

    Executives from various firms have shared their perspectives on the impact of AI in our HousingStack newsletter. Here are some standout quotes:

    Manish Garg, senior vice president of technology at EarnUp, notes that AI has enabled his team to address security threats more effectively by identifying patterns they hadn't previously modeled. Gen AI can adapt to new risks without requiring explicit instructions.

    Henry Li, chief technology officer at Lofty, highlights the need for companies to evolve rapidly in response to technological advancements. Building AI features requires a different approach than traditional software development, as it involves tuning and refining the AI's capabilities.

    Jason Bressler, CTO at United Wholesale Mortgage, emphasizes the importance of transparency in AI-driven decision-making processes. By creating a paper trail that explains the logic behind AI-driven decisions, companies can demonstrate accountability and trustworthiness.

    Joe Tyrrell, CEO of Optimal Blue, suggests that generative AI will be most effective when applied to specific use cases that address real problems or opportunities. This approach will help customers derive more value from the technology.

    Sridhar Sharma, executive vice president and chief information officer at Mr. Cooper, points out that his company has achieved 40% growth over the past five years while maintaining a relatively steady team size. This indicates the potential for AI to enhance productivity and scalability.