The Burnes Center for Social Change

The Biden Administration's final executive orders recognize AI's capability of becoming critical infrastructure for effective governance. However, framing these orders primarily as national security imperatives overlooks the opportunity to highlight AI’s potential in strengthening democratic governance, writes Beth Simone Noveck on the Reboot Democracy blog. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7jDGxYa

🦢🦢🦢🦢 AI SWAN SONG from the Biden Administration this week.....The Biden Administration has issued two significant executive orders this week that signal an important evolution in how the U.S. government approaches artificial intelligence. Coming in the final days of the administration, these orders represent a capstone to Biden's technology policy. While much attention has focused on AI regulation and risk management, these orders—including a January 16th order on innovation in cybersecurity and a January 14th order on AI infrastructure—represent something different: recognition that AI capability is becoming critical infrastructure for effective governance. However, the framing in national security terms missed an opportunity to bolster technology’s role in strengthening democratic institutions, improving governance and public service delivery. Read more and get links to the orders here: https://lnkd.in/ewrYyvKX

⏰ 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 ⏰ Want to make a positive impact on business and society with #AI? Don't miss the Responsible AI in Practice Summit, happening in Oakland, CA on Feb. 13, 2025! https://bit.ly/4hlSzOR Designed for executives, policymakers, solution designers, researchers, and more, this must-attend #ResponsibleAI event offers: 🚀 Actionable insights for implementing #RAI in workflows 🤝 Networking opportunities with industry leaders and AI experts 🗣️ Interdisciplinary collaboration through group discussions 🤔 New #AIethics perspectives with keynote speakers, fireside chats, and more 📖 Access to tools, frameworks, and case studies for equity and inclusion in AI We are thrilled to partner with Khoury College of Computer Sciences, The Mills Institute, Northeastern University - Oakland, and Northeastern University in Silicon Valley on this important event. Register to secure your spot for free: https://bit.ly/4hlSzOR Northeastern University Northeastern Alumni #artificialintelligence #AIevents #AInews #generativeAI #research #industry #business #academia #education #tech

📚 Rethinking Reading: AI for Literacy Achievement! How can AI be used in today’s classrooms to make reading instruction more personalized, engaged, and equitable? Kicking-off January 22, join the Burnes Center’s Equitable Literacy Initiative and learn from innovative education leaders about the future of literacy in a new InnovateUS workshops series led by The Learning Agency. Explore how AI is transforming literacy education through adaptive platforms, real-time tools, and personalized instruction. Join expert-led sessions to gain practical strategies and tools that make a real impact. All InnovateUS workshops are free to attend, and participants can join individual sessions or complete the entire series. Each workshop offers a certificate of attendance, and participants who complete the full series will also receive a certificate of completion. Register now at https://lnkd.in/eVXevPsi #ai #aiforgood #literacy 

Big union contract fights to come in 2025! In a piece originally published by Labor Notes, now featured on Power At Work, Keith Brown & Joe DeManuelle-Hall unpack the potential for union bargaining and strikes in the new year from many industries including education, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and more! Read all about it by visiting the link in the comments and don't forget to subscribe!

Discover how AI has the potential to revolutionize public services and promote equitable access for everyone. In their discussion, Tiago C. Peixoto and Luke Jordan explore the challenges posed by AI, particularly the risk of exacerbating inequality in critical services. They propose innovative solutions, such as the creation of an 'AI Opportunities Agency,' to ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed fairly and responsibly. This conversation highlights the importance of addressing the risks and embracing AI’s power to create more inclusive systems. Read more on Reboot Democracy: https://lnkd.in/e3-bn9Y7 The World Bank The Governance Lab MIT GOV/LAB

Join us Thursday, January 16 at 2 p.m. ET for a workshop hosted by InnovateUS about entity resolution with AI. Joining from Code for America: • Michael Cowden, Senior Director of Solutions Engineering • Jenn Thom, PhD, Senior Director of Experience Insights • Christopher C., Director of Solutions Engineering, Criminal Justice Together, they’ll share best practices and ethical considerations when using AI for entity resolution, assisting with tasks like clearing criminal records and distributing government benefits. Register today: https://bit.ly/3CbBw31

InnovateUS is hosting two exciting workshops this week—register today! First, join Christian Napier, Carter Saar, and Jake Windley from Utah today at 2:00 PM as they share the state’s successful journey from AI pilot programs to full-scale implementation, with insights from Utah’s collaboration with Google on Gemini. Then, sign up for "Better Government for All: A Practical Introduction to Entity Resolution with AI," with Jeff Jonas, Michael Cowden, Jenn Thom, and Chris Correa on Thursday, Jan 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, where you’ll discover how entity resolution improves governance and decision-making while addressing privacy and ethics concerns. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g6k5EGVT InnovateUS Jeff Jonas Jenn Thom, PhD Michael Cowden Christian Napier Jacob Windley

The State of New Jersey Division on Civil Rights has issued clear guidance that puts organizations on notice: using #AI or automated decision-making tools doesn't exempt you from anti-discrimination laws. The guidance affirms that the Law Against Discrimination applies with full force to algorithmic discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. While acknowledging AI's potential benefits in reducing bias, the guidance emphasizes that organizations remain fully accountable for discriminatory outcomes from automated tools, even if third parties developed them. The message is unambiguous - innovation must not come at the expense of civil rights. Read more featuring The Burnes Center for Social Change Director and Northeastern University Professor Beth Simone Noveck on Reboot Democracy: https://lnkd.in/enug64Ye Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University Northeastern University School of Law

JOIN! Jan 23, 5 pm EST Natalie Buda Smith Director of Digital Strategy and head of AI explores how Library of Congress US Congress are using AI and legislative data. Come talk about responsible AI innov and lawmaking. https://lnkd.in/ep89_Q-5 @thegovlab POPVOX Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Congressional Management Foundation Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University Interparliamentary Forum on Emerging Technologies Inter-Parliamentary Union Stephen Dwyer Lorelei Kelly Daniel Schuman Brian Baird SIGN UP https://lnkd.in/ep89_Q-5