CEC testimony - Saeed on CEC structure and mandates
Dr. Sarah Saeed, chair and executive director of the Civic Engagement Commission, describes CEC's 15 commissioners and broad mandates including participatory budgeting, language assistance, poll site selection, and community board assistance, plus the Racial Inclusion and Equity Tree Neighborhood Initiative.
Next is CEC.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
Sarah Saeed and Benjamin Salter, and they will be sworn in so I don't make a mistake again.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
We will now hear from the Civic Engagement Commission.
Before you begin, I will administer the affirmation.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
Panelists, please raise your right hands.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before this committee and to answer council member questions honestly?
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
I do.
I do.
Thank you.
You may begin when ready.
Thank you, Chair Brewer and members of the Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation,
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
for holding this hearing and for the opportunity to submit testimony about the work of the Civic Engagement Commission, or CEC.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
Thank you.
In regard to community boards, my name is Dr.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
Sarah Saeed, and I am the chair and executive director of the Civic Engagement Commission.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
I'm joined by Benjamin Solitaire, senior advisor.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
To begin, I'd like to give you an overview of CEC's current structure, staff, and programs.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
CEC consists of 15 commissioners, eight of whom are appointed by the mayor, two by city council, and five by borough presidents.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
The charter grants CEC broad authorization to increase civic participation, enhance civic trust, and strengthen democracy.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
Our mandates include citywide participatory budgeting, language assistance, and
set poll sites complementary to the Board of Elections and assistance to community boards.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We also manage the Task Force for Racial Inclusion and Equity Tree Neighborhood Initiative, a coalition building program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to strengthen community engagement.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
Our vision is to create a dynamic civic engagement process.
Sorry, our vision is to create dynamic civic engagement processes where communities who have been excluded from government are heard and affirmed in their civic power.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
Today, we are specifically discussing our work with community boards.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.