PIT@UMass Presents Workshop on AI Safety and Literacy to Belchertown Civil Servants
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The Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass Amherst (PIT@UMass) recently presented a workshop on AI Safety and Literacy to over 30 civil servants from the Town of Belchertown.
The workshop, held the last week of February at Belchertown Town Hall, focused on three key themes: What is AI and how can the town leverage its capabilities and minimize its risks? What questions do we need to ask to ensure that AI is being used safely, fairly, responsibly and under appropriate human oversight? How might AI be used to enhance municipal services and infrastructure in a way that both protects and benefits the public?
The event was a culmination of over six months of planning by the Belchertown communications committee, town manager, and PIT@UMass, a pioneering, interdisciplinary, cross-campus initiative dedicated to preparing students, faculty, and communities to advance the public interest through the responsible design, governance, and use of technology in ways that maximize human benefit while minimizing risk.
Together, Belchertown and PIT@UMass see the collaboration as a pilot that could inform replicable models for other local and regional communities. At its core, the effort reflects a shared understanding that civil servants play an essential role in daily life and sustain public trust through their service. Educational opportunities like the AI Safety and Literacy workshop help towns develop core competencies for their employees so they can positively navigate the complex socio-technical world we inhabit.
Leaders from PIT@UMass and the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences created the content for the workshop, which also included a panel of Belchertown users from the police department, fire department, community television station, library, and town communications committee describing responsible uses of AI in their work.
“We’re very grateful to the UMass Public Interest Technology team for coming to Belchertown and putting on such an informative training on AI,” says Belchertown Town Manager Steve Williams. “Thank you also to our town employees for their curiosity, willingness to learn, and for sharing how they’re already using AI in their departments. This kind of engagement is exactly how we start meaningful conversations about new technologies that impact our communities. With Massachusetts emphasizing AI as a key area for growth and innovation Belchertown is excited to be a leader in exploring its safe, responsible, and effective use across local government.”
“It was a pleasure working with Belchertown to promote the responsible and safe use of AI as they incorporate these technologies into their work,” says Fran Berman, director and co-founder of PIT@UMass. “We plan to use this kind of content with other communities in the area, strengthening UMass partnerships and empowering an ethical and informed workforce.”
This story was originally published by the Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass Amherst.