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NewDEAL Leaders to Co-Chair AI Task Force

News Category: Statements and Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jared DeWese, jared@newdealleaders.org

NewDEAL Leaders to Co-Chair AI Task Force with the NewDEAL Forum

Washington, D.C. – The NewDEAL Forum is excited to announce the launch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. The group will bring together state and local elected officials, experts from non-profits, and industry to explore AI's potential to improve government.

“In the midst of rapid expansion of the uses of generative AI, the technology provides extraordinary potential for state and local governments to transform public services, making them more efficient, responsive, and accessible,” said NewDEAL Forum CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “Our new task force will work on ensuring public policy maximizes the benefits of these advancements and that new technologies are used fairly, equitably, and ethically.”

The group’s efforts will recognize the importance of President Biden’s recent executive order outlining eight guiding principles and priorities for AI use while underscoring the significant role and opportunities for state and local governments to both complement that effort and, crucially, to pass legislation and implement AI policies in ways that increase efficiency and responsiveness of government agencies and support responsible economic growth.

Building on the work that went into the Forum’s previous report on AI and voting, the AI Task Force will provide assistance, information, and guidance for state and local elected officials, helping them develop actionable recommendations that leverage AI for the public good while ensuring responsible development and deployment.

Key Focus Areas of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force

Making Government Work Better: Identifying ways AI can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, particularly at the state and local level;

Ethical Considerations: Establishing guidelines to ensure responsible AI use, protecting privacy, and preventing bias.

Election Integrity: Addressing AI's role in elections, focusing on ways to combat malicious AI activities such as AI-generated deep fakes that threaten voter confidence and democratic processes.

In addition, the Task Force is committed to helping educate state and local policymakers on the latest advances and trends in artificial intelligence. The group’s first session included an AI 101 presentation from the Wilson Center's Science and Technology Innovation Program.

"Generative AI presents both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges," said New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores, Co-Chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force, and one of the few state legislators with a computer science background. "Our goal is to craft policies to harness AI's potential to improve public services while proactively preparing for the threats and unforeseen challenges it poses to our democratic institutions."

"San Jose is uniquely-poised to help the world figure out what AI in government looks like as we pull the innovation of Silicon Valley into City Hall,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Co-Chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force,. “From detecting potholes and improving bus routes to in-language translations that beat Google and automatic license plate readers that have helped solve hundreds of crimes, we look forward to sharing what we’re learning in San Jose to chart a path for the responsible and ethical use of AI in cities worldwide.”

"AI technology is evolving rapidly, and it is essential to ensure its benefits are widely shared and its risks carefully managed," said Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Albany Chief City Auditor, Co-Chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force. "By focusing on both the opportunities and the challenges, we can guide AI development in a way that supports innovation at the local level and protects our democratic values."

Yesterday, July 16, 2024, the AI Task Force held its inaugural virtual event to discuss AI's emerging role in civil society. The event included insights from NewDEAL Leaders and Task Force co-chairs, Albany City Chief City Auditory Dorcey Applys and New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores, along with the Wilson Center's Kellee Wicker, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program.

You can watch the event here.

The Task Force co-chairs look forward to working with key stakeholders, policymakers, and issue-area experts as we explore the potential of this new technology together.

About the AI Task Force Co-Chairs

Alex Bores, New York Assemblymember: Alex Bores is a fifth-generation New Yorker born and raised, in Manhattan. When he was elected as the representative for the 73rd District in 2022, he became the first Democrat elected in New York at any level with a degree in Computer Science.

Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose: Elected to City Council in 2020 and as mayor in 2022, Matt Mahan comes from the business world, where he founded and grew companies dedicated to empowering neighborhoods and communities and holding government accountable. Since taking office, he has focused on key quality-of-life issues impacting all neighborhoods. His administration published guidelines for generative AI in September 2023.

Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Chief City Auditor, Albany, New York: Prior to her appointment as Chief City Auditor, Dr. Applyrs served on the Albany Common Council, representing the City’s First Ward. She was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. During her second term, she served as Chair of the Public Safety Committee. Applyrs received her master’s degree and doctorate in public health from the Albany School of Public Health.

About The NewDEAL Forum

The NewDEAL Forum is dedicated to developing and advocating for innovative policy solutions at the state and local levels. By fostering collaboration among leaders and experts, the Forum addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today.

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