Baobao Zhang, an assistant professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has been awarded the prestigious 2023-24 Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest. This one-year program aims to support women and underrepresented thought leaders in their efforts to produce public writing, conduct live experiments, and network with experts in their field.
As part of the fellowship, Zhang plans to publish op-eds and engage in public communication about the uses and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. She will also host an eight-day virtual public assembly in October, where she will explore public perceptions of AI across various applications such as public administration, health, online search, and face recognition.
The workshop is based on her research, which suggests that public knowledge about AI significantly impacts individuals’ ability to make informed decisions about policy, accountability, and potential benefits or harms. By shedding light on this topic, Zhang aims to improve public understanding and engagement with AI technology.
The Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest is supported by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in partnership with the OpEd Project. The program collaborates with 35 universities and foundations, including esteemed institutions like Yale, Stanford, and Princeton. Together, they work to amplify underrepresented voices and promote discussions on important issues relating to gender, racial, health, climate, and media justice.
Zhang’s upcoming workshop in October will be supported by a previous grant she received as one of the 15 AI2050 Early Career fellows. This two-year, $200,000 grant was provided by the philanthropic organization Schmidt Futures. For the workshop sessions, Zhang will partner with the Center for New Democratic Processes, a nonpartisan nonprofit that specializes in analyzing public engagement with AI governance and applications.
In addition to her work with the Public Voices Fellowship, Zhang serves as a senior research associate in the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute and the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. Her research focuses on public and elite opinion of AI, the policy and ethics of AI technology, and how the American welfare state can adapt to the increasing automation in industries.
By participating in the Public Voices Fellowship and conducting her workshop in October, Zhang aims to make great strides in promoting public understanding, awareness, and discourse surrounding artificial intelligence. Her work has the potential to shape policies and decisions that will govern the use of AI technology in the future.
What are your thoughts on the uses and risks of artificial intelligence? Do you believe that public knowledge about AI is important for making informed decisions? Share your opinions in the comments below, and join the conversation about this important issue!
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