Travis Proof of Fordham on ethical AI framework and citywide training

German, good to see you.

Travis Proof from Fordham University, Chair De La Rosa, proud distinguished alum of Fordham University, good to be here today.

Thank you for the opportunity to talk.

You know, this hearing is tackling some of the critical operational questions the city is going to be having to grapple with, but our testimony at Fordham is focused on a bit more specific question the number of the students very ably raised,

which is when AI is in use, how can we ensure it is applied ethically, responsibly, and with end users trained to use it with humanity, discernment, and emotional intelligence?

We can teach students how to ask better questions, not simply generate better answers.

It is important to note the conversation we're having.

About the opportunities, challenges, and concerns of AI is one machine technology cannot replicate.

That is both our power and is our blueprint.

There is a global reckoning happening around AI.

And just weeks ago, Pope Leo proclaimed that the dignity of the person must always be present in the technology.

It's not by accident that the dignity of the person has not always been present.

Recent years, careers in social work, teaching, ministry,

the arts have frequently been deprioritized amidst a push for the youth and young adults to pursue opportunities in STEM.

Fields understandably deemed a national priority driven the need for economic competitiveness, but in some corners, the humanities were outright stigmatized.

The lack of balance is why we need this important conversation now.

And at Fordham, we are following four general pillars of how should we approach AI in education.

One is understanding the foundations of AI.

Two, discerning ethical versus unethical content and uses.

Three, how to augment, not replace, work product and workers.

And four, recognizing when the use of AI is not appropriate.

We're operationalizing these values through the construction and launch of an ethical AI hub at our Lincoln Center campus.

And I've included in my testimony a few of our key initial areas of focus, as well as some of the community engagement we've done over the past year and a half to help guide that work.

And we'd be happy to share that information with you if it's helpful.

But the gist is this.

We need a citywide training strategy that goes beyond not just education, but the entire citywide community.

We want to be a partner.

Thank you.