The Santa Monica Disabilities Commission is examining how artificial intelligence technology could both help and harm people within the community, with commissioners highlighting concerns about algorithmic bias while also exploring innovative applications.
The commission's AI Opportunities and Risk Ad Hoc Committee, comprising Commissioners Joseph Antognini and Alex Elliot, has been researching the implications of AI technology with plans to present formal recommendations to the city in the near future.
The pair have compiled several key resources to inform their work, including a comprehensive California report on AI developed with experts from top universities and industry professionals. The report examines the benefits, drawbacks and concerns surrounding AI technology.
"I want us to have it, I want the city to have it, the community be one click away from what the experts are thinking about this stuff," Elliot said during a recent commission meeting.
The commissioners have identified particular concerns about AI's impact on people with disabilities. At their recent meeting, they referenced a New York City Bar Association report that specifically addresses these issues, including algorithm bias that could screen out disability candidates and AI's failure to generate images representative of people with disabilities.
Elliot shared a personal example of these challenges, referencing a Time magazine article titled "AI Erased My Disability" by a Paralympian who described struggling to use image generation technology to create an accurate representation of herself.
"She actually has the same disability I have, and I've had the same experience that when I use image generation I can't get it to create anything close to me no matter the prompt," Elliot said.
The article describes how the technology's limitations effectively erased part of the athlete's identity, highlighting broader concerns about AI's ability to accurately represent people with disabilities.
Despite these concerns, the committee has also identified potential benefits of AI technology for the disability community. They highlighted innovative developments in AI and sign language technology, including the possibility of future AI avatars that could assist deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The AI committee is one of several ad hoc committees and liaison roles the commission uses to address various community needs. Other recent initiatives include disability pride month planning and local aging and disability strategic planning.
The commission recently completed work on a strategic plan focusing on mobility access, inclusive public spaces, connected resilient community, coordinated communication and outreach, housing stability and affordability, and inclusive emergency preparedness. That plan is scheduled for presentation to the City Council on Sept. 9.
The commission encourages members to consider new ad hoc committee ideas based on their interests and community needs. Potential future committees could focus on housing interventions, youth employment for people with disabilities, and commission training on meeting procedures.
The commission's final recommendations on AI policy are expected to be presented to city officials following completion of the committee's letter, which will outline specific concerns and suggested safeguards for AI implementation in Santa Monica.