Artificial intelligence is everywhere — in subway ads, bus shelters, news feeds, software updates, workplaces, and city government. New Yorkers are being asked for their opinions on AI, but not given the basic literacy to understand what AI is, how it works, or how it affects our lives.
So what does all this AI hype actually mean for New Yorkers?
At BetaNYC, our goal is to move past the buzzwords and help New Yorkers build the knowledge they need to use these tools responsibly, ask better questions, and demand accountability from the systems and providers shaping our communities.
We know the concerns: AI can reinforce bias, raise privacy risks, consume significant environmental resources, and deepen anxiety about automation. AI is a powerful set of tools, but it is not magic. Humans design, train, deploy, and govern these systems. When left unchecked, they can reproduce and amplify existing inequities.
That is why BetaNYC is proud to introduce AI 101.
Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to build confidence with today’s artificial intelligence tools. Participants will gain a practical understanding of AI, explore real-world civic uses, and learn how these tools can help demystify New York City government operations.
No tech background is required.
With community literacy, New Yorkers can help guide the future of AI, prioritize public values and safety, and steer the conversation toward the public good.This workshop’s curriculum was developed in partnership with the New York City Council’s Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement (AICE) initiative, AI for Nonprofits Sprint powered by the Fund for the City of New York, and with content support from Data and Society’s AI Civics.
About the AI 101 Class
Join BetaNYC for its workshop series designed to build confidence with today’s AI tools.
With curriculum tailored for teachers, local leaders, community boards, or the general public, we’ll show you how to “talk” to AI to get more useful results. We will explore practical, ethical ways it can help with everyday tasks, such as:
- Summarizing long, complex city reports.
- Drafting emails and community newsletters.
- Brainstorming ideas for neighborhood projects
Who should attend?
Anyone can attend one of our 90-minute classes taught by BetaNYC!
What will I learn?
- Ask questions and get useful results.
- Spot risks around privacy.
- Ensure that appropriate settings are in place to communicate securely.
- Confidently decide when AI is a helpful assistant.
Civic Resources
Here are several tools and projects that demonstrate how AI technology can be used to serve the public interest:
- Civic AI Tools: designed to help people navigate Open Data.
- Block Party Resolutions Archive: organize and archive community board resolutions to track local history and policy.
- citymeetings.nyc: A tool for transparency, using technology to make NYC public meetings searchable and accessible.
- Housing Court Answers: Anresource for NYC tenants and small homeowners, utilizing tech to provide clear information on complex housing court issues.
Upcoming Classes
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