San José, CA
Public integrity in
the midst of AI
The city of San José, at the heart of Silicon Valley, is a well-known frontier for technological innovation and advancement, including AI and technology policy. This project addressed the challenge of identifying and mitigating the misuse of AI-generated content in the public input process for the city of San José.
Through iterative literature reviews, case study analyses of existing regulations at various governmental levels, and regular consultations with city officials, AI policy experts, and technologists, the team developed comprehensive policy guidelines and procedural recommendations. The students utilized a variety of resources to develop a framework to maintain integrity of public input processes in the face of proliferating AI.
→ How can the city of San José identify false AI-generated content in public input? → What are best practices for the city of San José to mitigate false AI-generated public input?
• One main goal for the team was to create a presentation for the San José City Council Information Technology organization stakeholders.
The project culminated in presentations to the San José City Council Information Technology department and the Paragon Policy Spring 2024 community, along with a detailed Policy Guidelines Manual. Key proposed solutions include implementing new requirements and technologies for eComment user verification and email submission verification, as well as conducting brief and effective annual generative AI skills training for city staff managing public comment submissions. This initiative aims to enhance the integrity of public input processes in the face of evolving AI technologies.
By implementing the recommended technologies and training programs, the City of San José can significantly enhance the integrity, security, and reliability of public input from real constituents. Future work includes:
1. Monitoring the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
2. Adapting strategies as AI technologies evolve.
3. Collaborating with other municipalities to share best practices.
4. Exploring additional technological solutions for content verification.
5. Developing public education initiatives on responsible AI use in civic engagement.
