AI Real Estate Agent Stirs Controversy on Live Radio

Incident

On 612 ABC, presenter Ellen Fanning received an unexpected phone call from an individual identifying themselves as "Daniel," a real estate agent from Colliers, regarding a Gold Coast apartment tower.

Fanning questioned whether the caller was human; "Daniel" admitted to being an AI system.

The call was recorded without prior disclosure. Several listeners reported similar experiences. The phone number used was subsequently disconnected. Colliers did not respond to requests for comment.

Legal Considerations

Queensland has one-party consent laws for recording conversations. It is unclear whether an AI qualifies as a "party" under these laws.

Statements

• Professor Jean Burgess (QUT): Noted that such AI interactions "could erode trust and backfire on businesses."

• Antonia Mercorella (Real Estate Institute of Queensland): Stated that businesses should disclose when using AI bots, though the law is still evolving.