As New York City announces steps to improve city services by leveraging AI, Columbia data science leadership will continue to provide scientific expertise by participating in the AI Advisory Network, a body that will offer input to the city on implementation of its AI Action Plan, announced in October 2023, which outlines phased steps for the city to evaluate and adopt AI technologies.
Clifford Stein, Interim Director of the Data Science Institute and Wai T. Chang Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and Professor of Computer Science, and Jeannette M. Wing, Executive Vice President for Research and Professor of Computer Science, will serve on the advisory body.
In addition to creating a roadmap to evaluate and implement technologies, the plan establishes guiding principles for AI usage centered around reliability, fairness, privacy, and transparency, alongside key definitions to clarify AI concepts for both city employees and the general public. The advisory network’s expertise will be critical in this area.
“I’m thrilled to see New York City embrace AI and create this network to advise the city on how to use AI effectively, creatively, and responsibly,” said Wing. “I’m honored to be a member and looking forward to working across disciplines and sectors to help the city lead in AI.”
It is fitting that two Columbia faculty are represented on the Advisory Network given Columbia’s strength in data science and artificial intelligence, which was recently identified as a priority by Columbia University President Minouche Shafik. Their involvement also reflects the University’s commitment to bring its academic resources to bear on societal challenges, both global and local.
“As New York City works to leverage AI for the benefit of its residents, thoughtful input from leaders in academia, industry, and government will be crucial,” said Stein. “I am proud to contribute to the cross-sector collaboration that will guide New York’s success, and hopefully offer a model to other cities.”