Assembling in the Age of AI

With the growing push for AI adoption, what happens when you let the people decide? Join New America’s Political Reform program and Civic Genius for a conversation on November 2 from 3-4pm ET about the civic assembly held in Snohomish County, Washington.

Last August, KNKX radio reported that some local governments in Washington were already using AI without clear policies in place. On the heels of this reporting, Snohomish County took up the question of how their local government should use AI, and invited residents to help shape the answer.

Over three weekends, 40 randomly selected county residents deliberated over tough questions regarding usage. Participants examined AI from many angles, from bias, transparency, and accuracy to the environmental footprint of data centers. They also weighed how AI could help county services run more effectively and efficiently. Snohomish County is now the largest jurisdiction in the U.S. to have held a civic assembly.

After more than 1,000 hours of collective work, the assembly approved 35 of more than 50 proposed recommendations with strong consensus. In this conversation, local government officials, organizers, and assembly members will share what the assembly recommended and what made the process possible.

Speakers:

• Jillian Youngblood, Civic Genius
• Dhruv Raithatha, Assembly Member
• Sarah Jacob, New America
• Jared Mead, Snohomish County
• Nate Nehring, Snohomish County