New Jersey, August 8, 2023 – Artificial intelligence and related technologies seem to have promise as groundbreaking and transformative elements in many areas of modern life, including local government. But significant questions remain about these technologies, both on a fundamental level and as they relate to civic life.

These questions and more will be explored during a webinar titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Related Technologies in Local Government” on Thursday, August 17 at 12:30 p.m. ET. This free webinar is part of the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media’s Community Engagement Series, which promote civic engagement by bringing together experts and journalists to discuss news of local interest and how it impacts our communities. Attendees can register to attend the webinar at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H1grcEuASwegmJ-yVF3zmg.

Webinar panelists include:
• Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset), scientist and educator at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory;
• Professor Marc Pfeiffer, Senior Policy Fellow, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University;
• Alex Parker-Magyar, editor, Madison Eagle, Florham Park Eagle, and Chatham Courier.

The panel will be moderated by Amanda Richardson, executive director of the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media.

“We are pleased to host a webinar focused on an issue that is so timely and of such great importance to our communities,” said Richardson. “Our webinar series aims to bring light to issues of local and statewide importance by speaking with the people on the ground: reporters, analysts, activists, and politicians.”

“Generative AI is the newest technology that provides economic benefits for innovators but lacks societal guardrails for users,” said Professor Marc Pfeiffer, who also serves on the Governing Board of the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media. “We need to learn from the past and then walk (develop safeguards) and chew gum (deploy systems carefully) at the same time.”

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Corporation for New Jersey Local Media builds strong communities through journalism and civic engagement. The organization seeks to enhance civic engagement by promoting professional community journalism, fostering public discussion of critical issues, and expanding access to educational programs. Learn more at www.newsweneed.org.