November 1, 2024
Dear editor;
Aurora stands at a pivotal moment in its history. Artificial intelligence isn’t some far-off technology of the future, it’s already woven into the fabric of our daily lives here in Aurora. AI influences decisions about our traffic signals, will help process our service requests at City Hall, and is being considered for everything from predicting where potholes will form to helping emergency services respond more quickly to calls.
Recent federal guidance, particularly the White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, has given us a framework for thinking about AI governance locally. We have choices to make about how AI shapes our city’s future.
Let’s be honest, discussions about AI can feel overwhelming. When your alderman mentions “algorithmic bias” or “AI governance,” it might sound like science fiction rather than something that affects your daily life. Just remember, this isn’t just about the technology – it’s about our community’s values, our privacy, our access to city services, and our children’s future opportunities. When AI is used to help make decisions about loan applications at our local banks, school resources, or emergency service deployments, these decisions affect real families in real neighborhoods across Aurora.
The good news is that the City of Aurora leadership has committed to creating an AI Strategic Plan by the end of 2024 and should make Aurora’s AI journey transparent and inclusive. But they can’t, and shouldn’t, do this alone. Every resident has valuable insights to contribute, whether you’re a parent concerned about AI in our schools, a small business owner exploring AI tools to stay competitive, or a senior citizen wanting to ensure you can still access city services without a smartphone.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to participate in this conversation. What you need is your lived experience as a resident of Aurora and your vision for our city’s future. When your alderman is host to a community meeting about AI initiatives in your ward, attend and share your perspective. When the city asks for feedback about new AI systems being considered, make your voice heard. When you have concerns about how AI is being used in your neighborhood, speak up.
How can residents stay informed about upcoming AI-related meetings? Contact your alderman, call the Mayor’s Office, write letters, attend City Council meetings, and stay involved. www.aurora-il.org/222/Aldermens-Office
The future of AI in Aurora is more than technology, it’s about the daily lives of our residents. It’s about ensuring that as our city becomes “smarter,” it also becomes more equitable, more responsive, and more attuned to the needs of all our communities.
This is our opportunity to truly be an innovative national leader and to show other cities how technology and community values can work hand in hand.
The conversation about AI in Aurora is happening now, in our coffee shops, our community centers, and our city council meetings. Join in. Ask questions. Share your concerns. Offer suggestions. Because ultimately, the success of AI in Aurora won’t be measured by how advanced our technology becomes, but by how well it serves every member of our community.
Ultimately, putting the AI in Aurora Illinois isn’t just about algorithms and data. It’s about ‘We the People’. We can let AI happen to us, or we can shape it together. Let’s make sure everyone has a voice in telling our AI story.
Jim Schweizer, Ward 6
Michael Mantzke, Ward 5