SC Connecticut News

On April 25, 2024, the Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) held a conference to delve into the intricate relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and government decision-making. The event aimed to dissect how AI and data-driven algorithms are influencing critical choices within various governmental processes.

Shir Raviv, a postdoctoral research fellow at Columbia University and a nonresident fellow with Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies’ Democratic Innovations program, emphasized the importance of understanding the implications of AI on democracy. Raviv stated, "As AI algorithms become more powerful and impactful, so does the realization that we are facing a major change that touches on the very core of what makes us a democracy, namely the way that we make public decisions."

Raviv further highlighted the need to govern AI responsibly, stating, “I feel we should be careful about the path we are on and try to govern AI before it governs us.” The conference organized by Raviv aimed to dispel misconceptions about AI and explore the practical applications of the technology.

Virginia Eubanks, a speaker at the conference, stressed the importance of human values in the era of automation. Eubanks emphasized, “We need to center human dignity. We need to make the labor of love visible,” underlining the necessity of considering ethical implications in the use of AI in government decision-making processes.

Dasha Pruss, a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, presented research on the challenges of evidence-based sentencing in the criminal justice system. Pruss cautioned against the inherent biases in past arrest or conviction data, urging policymakers to align technological tools with the human values they aim to uphold. Pruss stated, “What outcomes are considered important to predict? Somebody’s risk of reconviction? Or is it more important to predict, say, which judges are going to be making the most discriminatory decisions?”

The conference also featured presentations from various scholars exploring different facets of AI in government, including discussions on refugee integration, automating caregiving, citizen perceptions of AI in policing, and the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence.

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion on the challenges and promises of ensuring responsible AI in government, underscoring the ongoing importance of balancing technological advancements with democratic values and human rights.