Community Engagement Special Interest Group
The Community Engagement Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to involve a broad coalition of academic researchers, civil society groups, community-based organizations, and groups representing communities in Utah impacted by AI systems in order to surface the concerns and experiences of individuals and communities most vulnerable to harm.
Many AI companies and developers rely on a patchwork of responsible AI frameworks, guidelines, and documentation standards alongside a mix of regulatory frameworks in their approach to AI development. This SIG strives to ensure that civil society voices are included in the conversation, and that they are given the opportunity to provide feedback on current initiatives and offer up alternative models and frameworks for assessing risk and harm.
Communtiy & Civil Society Engagement SIG meetings are typically held over Zoom at 12 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. See the calendar below for more details.
Leadership Opportunities
If you are interested in leadership positions and building meaningful connections, please reach out to us at rai@utah.edu
Additionally, please click the link below for more information about the Community & Civil Society Engagement SIG.
Topline Goals & Activities
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Public education & engagement on AI development
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Host public demos of public AI tech that people can interact with and offer feedback on
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Host workshops in community centers (libraries, etc)
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Develop tools/mechanisms for civil society to offer feedback on AI development & goals
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Work with specific communities, CBOs, and/or civil society organizations to co-design AI risk assessment standards
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Create civil society-led working groups around AI issues specific to Utah - e.g. tech policy, governance, schools, policing, etc.
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Goals
- Elevate the voices of civil society groups, communities, and advocacy groups representing the people most impacted by AI systems in Utah
- Community outreach and building awareness of how AI systems are deployed in Utah
- Facilitate meaningful cross-disciplinary discussion among different stakeholders
- Develop alternative models, guidelines, and frameworks for thinking about how companies should be assessing AI risks and harms.
- Model different ways civil society groups can work with Utah government, industry, and academia to ensure AI is developed safely.
Sample Activities
- Create an interdisciplinary network of academic & civil society researchers studying the impacts of AI on societal well-being. Host regular thematic discussions addressing concerns specific to AI development/tech industry in Utah.
- Host cross-cutting events that bring together researchers, policymakers, and civil society groups thinking meaningfully about the systems that need to be in place to build AI responsibly.
- Produce a civil society-led set of guidelines for how AI companies/research labs conduct risk assessments and run consultations in the development of AI.
- Produce a civil society-led set of recommendations to Utah lawmakers for AI policy and legislation that balances societal well-being and accountability with AI development.
- Run workshops aimed at validating the guidelines and toolkits produced by the SIG with AI developers and/or impacted communities.
Leadership
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