Raven AI Matches Interior Photos to Potential Property Locations

Raven, an AI tool developed by Graylark, matches details in interior photos with information found online to identify potential property locations. The software has been used by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Its use so far has focused on human trafficking investigations.

Raven’s developer says the tool helps investigators turn images from inside a property into location leads they can review and verify. Graylark’s Daniel Heinen described it as “purpose-built AI for the people working to find answers and protect lives.” He has also highlighted its ability to geolocate interior images across millions of short-term rental units worldwide.

The tool’s apparent use of property and rental websites has raised concerns. A video showing Raven in action appears to include Zillow, Vrbo and Airbnb. Airbnb is reviewing the situation, while Zillow said scraping its data violates its terms of service.

Raven may be able to identify a property when similar interior images and an associated address are already available online. The source article says this creates privacy challenges, and suggests wider adoption by police departments may depend on the tool accommodating regional privacy laws and establishing partnerships with the companies whose data it uses. The source does not establish whether Raven has such partnerships.