Housing expert closes door on return of in-person board meetings, prefers AI safeguards

A Chicago Tribune condo advice column addressed whether artificial intelligence concerns should prompt condominium boards to abandon virtual meetings in favor of in-person gatherings. Legal expert Kim Quillen argued that embracing technological advances with appropriate safeguards is more productive than reverting to older practices out of fear, noting that the full impact of AI on communal living remains uncertain.

The big picture: While AI deepfakes and impersonation risks are legitimate concerns for virtual board meetings, housing law experts suggest that proper technological safeguards are preferable to abandoning digital tools entirely.

What the expert recommends: Quillen, writing in the Chicago Tribune’s condo advice column, advocates for forward-thinking approaches to technology in condominium governance rather than retreating to traditional methods.

• “Embracing the future as technology continues to develop will be more productive and impactful for community association operations than focusing ‘on the way things used to be’ out of fear of technological advances,” Quillen explained.
• The Illinois Condominium Act’s Section 18.8 already provides a legal framework for technology use by condominium boards, suggesting lawmakers anticipated these challenges.

Why this matters: The advice reflects broader tensions between technological advancement and security concerns across various industries, particularly as AI capabilities become more sophisticated and accessible.

Other issues covered: The column also addressed two traditional property management questions about propane grill restrictions and commercial use violations in residential communities, demonstrating how AI concerns intersect with established housing law practices.