The AI Assembly is the first national deliberative event on AI in the United States and represents a significant step toward understanding public sentiment on AI-related issues and shaping the conversation around the role of AI systems in society, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and responsible use.  

A national Public Assembly on High Risk Artificial Intelligence was commissioned by Dr. Baobao Zhang, Maxwell Dean Assistant Professor of the Politics of AI at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. The “AI Assembly” is the first nationwide deliberative engagement event (public assembly) on Artificial Intelligence in the United States. CNDP designed and implemented the AI Assembly, managed the Oversight Panel, and led project outreach activities.

Background & Context of AI Assembly The Public Assembly on Artificial Intelligence was convened virtually over eight days in October 2023.

The AI Assembly explored public attitudes regarding risk and uses of artificial intelligence across multiple domains including administrative records, health records, browser / search history, and face recognition. Assembly participants heard from experts and deliberated about examples of AI systems regarding:

assessing risk; exploring accountability and responsibility; potential harms associated with various uses of AI. Forty Assembly participants were randomly selected from across the U.S. to include a broadly representative mix of residents in terms of age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, employment status, political affiliation, and geographic distribution. Participants were compensated for their time ($1,200 for the entire Assembly) and received technical support in advance of, and throughout, the event.

Findings from the AI Assembly will be circulated among stakeholders in order to shape future policy discussions on AI governance and policy development, risk and regulatory frameworks, as well as responsible and trustworthy AI. The AI Assembly will also serve as a starting point for exploring how to more effectively involve the public in future discussions regarding AI and emerging technologies.