Reflections from the Bellagio Rockefeller Centre: AI and the future of resilient housing systems

I arrived at the Bellagio Rockefeller Centre with a sense of anticipation. Tucked away on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, Bellagio is not just a picturesque retreat; it’s a space where people from all disciplines and corners of the world have gathered for decades to think deeply about some of the world’s most pressing issues. 

Our challenge was to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can reshape housing systems in a world affected by economic shocks, climate displacement, and homelessness. Having engaged with AI concepts through the Harvard Business Review and other ‘analogous inspiration’ reading over the past year, but going nowhere fast due to lack of headspace, I found the timing could not have been better. The tranquil setting, with its stunning lake views, provided an ideal environment to disconnect from daily urgencies and envision not only today’s possibilities but also those of the future.

The convening, initiated by my close international ally, Rosanne Haggerty, and her team at Community Solutions, was meant to be a platform for action, not merely a meeting of minds. We gathered to examine whether AI could bolster efforts to build resilient housing systems capable of addressing future challenges and ultimately ending homelessness for good. 

On our first day, participants were asked to position ourselves on a scale of belief regarding the end of homelessness. Despite most participants not working directly in this field, nearly all expressed strong conviction that this challenge can be overcome, making me feel optimistic about the quality of awareness levels.

Our group was small yet intentionally diverse, made up of AI experts, housing practitioners, ethicists, and policy-makers—all bringing different perspectives to the table from organisations such as Microsoft, Meta, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the World Bank. It was this interdisciplinary spirit that I think gave our conversations their spark. 

‍Opportunities and risks

AI can be an intimidating subject, especially when you consider the risks it could pose if used improperly. However, we must not let fear stop us from imagining the possibilities. Our focus was on how AI can help prevent homelessness, optimise housing resources, and support policy makers in making smarter, more data-driven and evidence-driven decisions.

A recurring theme in our conversations was the critical need for understanding of what is at stake. Before we can harness AI’s full potential, we must ensure that everyone involved—whether they are housing practitioners or policy leads —understands both the opportunities and the risks. AI isn’t a silver bullet; it’s a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used. As a What Works Centre, one of our first contributions can be to work with change-makers across all levels of the system to encourage deep thinking aboutAI.

During our time at Bellagio, we laid the groundwork for a few early prototypes. One project that excites is the tentative concept of F.R.E.D., a collective case management tool aimed at allowing local areas and their communities to disrupt the outdated data systems they currently rely on. With this, they could enhance access to better data, enabling more effective engagement across organisations to improve housing systems for the people they serve.

We also explored how AI could help policymakers at national level in preventing homelessness before it occurs. Imagine a tool that analyses vast amounts of data and evidence —economic trends, housing market fluctuations and the best evidence of what works and what doesn’t — providing insights that help officials act swiftly to develop stronger, more targeted, programmes and policies. With such foresight, governments and service providers alike could intervene earlier, deploying resources more effectively before crises escalate.

Another exciting area was the Land, Regulations, and Costs project. AI could help map out land usage and regulatory impacts more effectively, giving cities a clearer understanding of how they can make housing more affordable while still preparing for future challenges. This is no small feat—land and housing regulations are notoriously complex, but AI could make it easier to see the bigger picture and, again, act faster and in a more targeted manner.

As the week progressed, resilience emerged as a central theme—not merely the ability to rebound from crises but the creation of systems robust enough to withstand future shocks, be they climate or migration-related, economic downturns, or public health crises. Thoughtful implementation of AI, underpinned by strong ethical frameworks, can contribute to building these resilient systems.

But perhaps what struck me most during our time at the Bellagio Centre was the potential for AI to enhance international cooperation. Collaborating on impactful ideas across borders allows us to learn more quickly and share resources, accelerating efforts in homelessness prevention and shifting the focus from traditional crisis interventions.

As I left Bellagio, watching the sun rise over Lake Como, I felt a profound sense of possibility. The work we began here is just the start. There is so much more to accomplish and many more voices to include, but we’ve taken an important first step. The ideas we discussed and the prototypes we started shaping are not merely theoretical; they hold the potential to build more resilient housing systems for the future.

Let’s keep making those big bets, responsibly.

* Lígia Teixeira is Chief Executive of the Centre for Homelessness Impact 

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