Santa Cruz County Board to Discuss AI
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is set to hold an important meeting on September 19th to discuss artificial intelligence and its impacts on the local community. This conversation is welcomed as AI technology continues to rapidly advance and affect more aspects of our lives.
While AI innovation holds great promise, especially in fields like healthcare, education, and sustainability, it also poses many ethical risks that Santa Cruz is wise to proactively address. Biases encoded in AI systems, lack of transparency in AI decision-making, and the potential displacement of jobs all deserve deep consideration.
At the upcoming meeting, the Board should prioritize developing guidelines and safeguards to ensure AI is implemented responsibly and for the benefit of all Santa Cruz citizens. Critical questions include:
How can we make AI serve underprivileged populations?
How will use of AI by government agencies be regulated?
How can Santa Cruz support an AI-literate workforce?
“AI is a technological revolution that doesn’t come around more than once in every few hundred years. ”
This is a prime opportunity for Santa Cruz to lead by example in the conscientious and ethical adoption of emerging technologies. The Board of Supervisors meeting promises to be a thought-provoking discussion - all community members with a stake in our AI future should tune in or attend.
Let's leverage AI as a tool to uplift Santa Cruz, not deepen divides.
NOTE: As this item is on the Consent Agenda, the Board may approve it without discussion. However, Board members can request that it be removed for thoughtful consideration. While no formal presentation will be made, staff will be available to address any questions. There is the potential for engaging dialogue if the Board decides this matter warrants further review. Yet it may also be quickly resolved to allow moving forward with the full agenda. The discussion, or lack thereof, will reflect the Board's perspective on the importance of this item.