Code for America announces government AI workshops

The civic tech nonprofit Code for America on Thursday announced a new series of workshops coming this fall that will seek to help governments implement human-centered artificial intelligence.

The initiative, called the AI Studio, will involve in-person and virtual workshops to explore the importance of testing and scaling AI adoption and how to embrace human-centered principles, mitigate the risks associated with the technology and potential use cases.

“We have entered a new digital age defined by emerging technologies with the potential to transform the relationship between government and the people it serves,” Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria said in a press release. “Government can and must adopt human-centered AI that treats people with dignity and respect when accessing critical services like food assistance, tax benefits, or criminal record clearance.”

The AI Studio is a continuation of Code for America’s work with artificial intelligence. Last year, Code for America released an AI-powered chatbot for GetCalFresh, a digital enrollment assistant for California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The chatbot was developed to respond to simple questions and direct users to relevant resources.