Community & Civil Society Engagement Special Interest Group (SIG)
Your Voice Matters in Shaping AI for Utah
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. The technology decisions being made today will affect all our communities for years to come. Too often, the people most impacted by AI technologies have the least input in how they're developed and deployed.
The Community & Civil Society Engagement SIG is working to change that by ensuring diverse communities have "an informed seat at the table" when it comes to AI policy and implementation in Utah.
Why partner with us?
By participating in our SIG, you and your organization will:
- Gain early insights into AI developments affecting your community
- Have direct channels to voice concerns to policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders
- Access educational resources to better understand AI's potential impacts
- Help shape responsible AI guidelines that reflect your community's needs and values
- Join a growing coalition of organizations working to ensure AI serves everyone fairly
We're not asking you to become AI experts. We want to create a bridge between your community expertise and the technical world of AI, ensuring that the people most affected by these systems have meaningful input in their development.
What We Do
Community Forums & Listening Sessions: Regular gatherings where community members can share their experiences with AI technologies - from healthcare algorithms to school systems to workplace automation - in accessible, welcoming environments.
Educational Workshops: Practical sessions in community centers, libraries, and local organizations to help residents understand how AI affects their daily lives and their rights in an AI-driven world.
Direct Advocacy Channels: We connect community concerns directly to decision-makers in government, industry, and academia who are shaping AI policies and practices.
Co-Design Solutions: Work alongside communities to develop alternative approaches for assessing AI risks and benefits that center real human impact over technical metrics.
Get Involved
There are several ways to participate, but the first step is to join our listserv. You can then participate in one or more of the following ways:
- Attend our monthly community forums
- Host a listening session for your organization
- Share your community's AI experiences and concerns.
- Help shape our priorities and approaches
- Connect us with other community voices that need to be heard
We welcome individuals and organizations representing all of Utah's diverse communities.
Monthly Community Forums
When: Second Tuesday of every other month at 12 PM
Where: Marriott Library (Room varies) or virtual
Who: Open to all - no technical background required!
Next Meeting: See the calendar linked below for details.
Leadership
View Bio
Wil Bown brings a unique blend of technical expertise and community leadership to the Community & Civil Society Engagement SIG. With over 35 years in technology development, Wil has consistently championed AI that respects user privacy and agency, pioneering frameworks that keep data local and under personal control. As the founder of Utah's largest Bitcoin and VR meetup communities, he has proven expertise in making complex technologies accessible to diverse audiences. His vision of "making machines that give us the power to be more human" directly aligns with the SIG's mission to ensure AI serves all communities fairly. Through his work with iamai-core, Satori, and BownCo, Wil advocates for AI that truly belongs to its users—not corporations—making him an ideal bridge between technical innovation and community needs.
View Bio
Leadership Opportunities
We are seeking leaders who want to help build meaningful connections between Utah's diverse communities and AI decision-makers. Leadership roles focus on:
- Community outreach and relationship building
- Facilitating conversations between different groups
- Ensuring authentic community representation
- Co-designing engagement strategies.
If you are interested in leadership positions and building meaningful connections, please reach out to us at rai@utah.edu.
Our Goals
- Elevate Community Voices: Ensure the people most impacted by AI systems have meaningful input in their development
- Build Awareness: Help communities understand how AI systems are already affecting their daily lives
- Create Dialogue: Facilitate conversations between communities and AI developers, policymakers, and researchers
- Develop Community-Led Solutions: Create guidelines and frameworks that reflect real community needs and values
- Model Partnership: Model different ways civil society groups can work with Utah government, industry, and academia to ensure AI is developed safely.
Contact Us
Ready to ensure your community's perspective helps shape the future of AI in Utah?
We look forward to partnering with you to build an AI future that works for everyone.
The Community & Civil Society Engagement SIG is part of the University of Utah's One-U Responsible AI Initiative, committed to ensuring AI technologies benefit all of Utah's communities.