This Month at CPSAI
We’re incredibly thankful to all the attendees, speakers, and partners who contributed to the success of our inaugural flagship gathering, Unlocking the 'Human' in Human Services. The event brought together leaders from over 25 states and two federal agencies to explore how AI can tackle critical challenges in state systems, such as workforce shortages, outdated infrastructure, and fragmented service delivery. The event discussions highlighted AI's potential to improve decision-making, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance client experiences in social services, with key concerns around inconsistencies in child welfare decisions, high compliance-related workloads, inefficiencies in legacy systems, and workforce shortages. Attendees emphasized the need for ethical guardrails and transparency to mitigate risks like biases in legacy data and the impact on human interactions. Experts described the current moment as one of "chaotic good," with increasing engagement across sectors to minimize risks while maximizing positive impact and a strong focus on collaboration to drive advancements tailored to public sector needs.
Building on the momentum from this event, we’re actively working on our 2025 strategy and look forward to sharing our vision in the coming months. CPSAI is focused on forging new partnerships, developing evaluation frameworks, and strengthening support networks for health and human services leaders. We aim to accelerate AI adoption across sectors and help address the complex challenges facing public sector systems.
This Month in AI News
Each month, we curate a selection of the most impactful AI stories from around the globe, focusing on innovations, regulatory updates, ethical debates, and breakthrough applications in various sectors, including the public sector. Stay informed with our concise and insightful summaries that keep you at the forefront of AI developments. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a policy maker, or a professional in the field, this section will provide you with the knowledge you need to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of AI technology.
A Guide to Safe AI Implementation for Local Governments
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has published a report from its AI Exploratory Committee, launched in May 2023, to guide local governments in safely integrating artificial intelligence. The AI County Compass report provides a comprehensive toolkit focused on generative AI (GenAI). It includes ethical frameworks, policy recommendations, and practical use cases, addressing both the benefits and challenges of GenAI. The toolkit emphasizes enhanced productivity, cost savings, and improved service delivery while tackling governance, compliance, and bias prevention issues. The NACo will host quarterly focus groups to update the toolkit based on user feedback, ensuring it remains a dynamic resource for local government leaders navigating AI adoption.
Apple Joins Tech Giants in Adopting Biden’s AI Safeguards
Apple Inc. has agreed to adopt the Biden administration’s voluntary AI safeguards, joining other tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and OpenAI. These measures involve testing AI systems for security flaws, discriminatory tendencies, and national security risks, with the results to be shared transparently with governments, civil society, and academia. This move comes as Apple plans to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its iPhone voice-command assistant. While the guidelines are not enforceable, they represent an effort by the administration to encourage responsible AI development amid growing concerns about AI’s potential dangers and discriminatory impacts.
AI in The Public Sector
In this section, we highlight how AI is being leveraged to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, and address critical challenges faced by public sector organizations. From innovative pilot projects and successful implementations to policy updates and ethical considerations, we cover a wide range of topics that demonstrate the potential and reality of AI in government.
How Algorithms Are Shaping New York City’s Future
New York City has significantly increased its use of algorithmic tools across various government departments, rising from eight to 46 in just a decade. These tools enhance public services in child welfare, education, public health, and emergency response, making the city more efficient and responsive. The city’s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is focused on transparency and accountability, requiring annual reports on using these tools under Local Law 35 of 2022. As New York positions itself as a global leader in AI and algorithmic governance, it continues to refine its processes to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and effectively to serve its residents.
The Role of AI in Enhancing Fire Safety
A year after the devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, which claimed 102 lives, significant efforts have been made to rebuild and enhance disaster preparedness, with artificial intelligence playing an increasingly important role. The state has introduced new firefighting policies, expanded grassland management, and upgraded the electrical grid with AI-powered cameras to detect early signs of fire. However, despite these advancements, critical vulnerabilities remain due to financial constraints. Residents worry about the island’s readiness for future fires while debates persist over funding necessary safety improvements, including a proposed climate impact fee.
AI Learning Hub
In this section, we focus on fostering a culture of continuous learning within the public sector by providing essential educational resources and initiatives. Through case studies, expert insights, and curated content, we help government leaders build AI literacy and stay ahead of the curve in emerging technology adoption.
A Tale of Two Generative AI Use Cases
You're invited to register for U.S. Digital Response's free webinar, A Tale of Two Generative AI Use Case. Learn from Krista Canellakis, Marcie Chin, and Polina Dudnik from the USDR team as they share insights from their work supporting generative AI (GenAI) adoption in state and local governments. This 60-minute webinar will explore how GenAI can be integrated into public sector workflows to address key challenges, drawing on USDR’s hands-on experience. The session will feature two applied use cases of GenAI in areas such as benefits access, language translation, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about USDR’s GenAI design sprint approach, which focuses on identifying promising GenAI use cases, rapidly prototyping solutions, and testing for quality and viability. You can register here.
Designing Your Human-Centered AI Strategy: The Social Sector Cohort
Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) and the Hasso Plattner Institute for Design (d.school) have teamed up to offer a two-day immersive program to equip social sector leaders with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI into their organizations. This engaging program blends cutting-edge research with human-centered AI and social systems design. It enables participants to demystify AI, explore its potential to improve organizational efficiency, and frame AI-driven solutions to complex challenges. Participants will engage in discussions with top AI scholars, participate in hands-on workshops, and build a collaborative community of like-minded leaders dedicated to advancing AI's role in the social sector. You can read more here.