In the burgeoning era of artificial intelligence (AI), partnership among academia, government, and the tech industry is emerging as a template for responsible innovation and implementation. How can such an alliance best harness AI’s potential? [...]
Universities have long been the bedrock of theoretical exploration and discovery. They are the birthplace of AI, where algorithms leapt from chalk-dusted blackboards into the digital realm. [...] Government can serve as a regulator, a facilitator, and at times a catalyst for innovation. By establishing clear guidelines, governments can foster an environment where AI is deployed safely and ethically. They hold the key to ensuring that AI serves the common good, protects privacy, and promotes equity. [...]
A recent capstone project conducted by graduate students at Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy showcases the possibility of progress when innovative students partner with a not-for-profit organization like the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC). Designed to improve on the Congress.gov website, the students built a tool that utilizes ChatGPT’s large language model (LLM) technology to do more effective search and analysis. Their goal was to improve the search function to help (for example) a legislative analyst to research relevant congressional documents. [...]
The students built on the work of a previous capstone project from the spring of 2023; the initial team of students conducted user research interviews, identified use cases, and developed a desktop application that would summarize a bill.
In the fall of 2023, the most recent team - Li-li Chen (MISM ’23), Kathy Chiang (MISM ’23), Zhichen Li (MISM-BIDA ’23), Vandeleuv, and Sylvia (Yiping) Zhang (MISM ’23) - picked up where the first group left off. Led by faculty expert Andrew Garin, assistant professor of economics at Heinz College, they partnered with Tom Romanoff, director of the technology program at BPC, to create an AI tool that can search and analyze thousands of pages of congressional bills to help policy analysts conduct research.
The tool can filter, analyze, and summarize content using the past ten years of bills currently in the Library of Congress’s Congress.gov database. It’s currently being piloted by a few users within BPC, Romanoff said, and news of its capability has started to create a buzz among his colleagues both inside and outside of BPC.[...]
As AI continues to reshape our world, the imperative for strong partnerships among universities, government, and industry has never been greater. Together, they can steer AI towards a future that reflects our shared values and aspirations. It is through this collaborative spirit that AI will not only reach its full potential but do so in a way that enhances the human experience, ensuring that technology serves us all, not just a privileged few.
News submitted by Jennifer Monahan, Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College