612 ABC Brisbane

Topic: AI

Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:00 am

Ellen Fanning received a call from a person named Daniel, who was actually an AI system.

In short:

An AI real estate agent is calling people to try to sell them an apartment on the Gold Coast.

The agent says its name is Daniel from Colliers real estate.

What's next?

Ellen Fanning will talk to legal experts about whether the AI bot Daniel is breaking the law.

When Ellen Fanning got a call from Daniel, she felt something was not right.

Daniel said he was a real estate agent from Colliers, calling about a new apartment building on the Gold Coast.

Ellen asked, 'Are you a person, Daniel?'

Daniel said, 'I'm an AI system designed to help you with your question about Bilinga House.'

Daniel asked, 'How many bedrooms are you looking for?'

When Ellen asked more questions, Daniel said he was calling from a recorded line and the conversation was being taped.

Before Ellen asked questions, Daniel did not say he was an AI or that he was recording the call.

Some listeners called in to say they also got calls from Daniel.

After Ellen talked about it on the radio, Daniel's phone number was disconnected.

Colliers has not commented on this story.

Colliers has offices in many places in Australia.

A professor from Queensland University of Technology said Daniel was a 'scary' look at the future.

The professor said people are having trouble knowing what is real and what is fake.

She said people do not like it when companies use AI instead of humans.

The professor said human conversation is the best way to connect with people.

Using AI instead of humans can hurt a business.

Is this legal?

In Queensland, you can record a call if one person agrees.

You can record a call without telling the other person.

But it's not clear if an AI can be considered a person in a conversation.

A real estate expert said the law is not clear about AI.

The expert said real estate agents should tell people if they are using AI.

Real estate agents have a duty to be honest about using AI.

The expert said agents should say they are using an AI bot.

The law is still catching up with AI.

Ellen Fanning will talk to legal experts about Daniel.

She will ask if Daniel is breaking the law by recording calls.

ABC Brisbane news

Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:00 am

Promotion

Pratique d'écoute