New York City hiring AI and ML director to spearhead comprehensive strategy, oversee responsible use of tools.
New York City is getting an artificial intelligence czar. The Office of Technology and Innovation is hiring for the newly created role of director of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which will spearhead a comprehensive AI strategy. This role will be responsible for supporting agencies in the productive and responsible use of AI and machine learning tools. This position is similar to the algorithms management and policy officer role created in 2019, which was discontinued when the Office of Technology and Innovation was created. The new role will expand beyond the responsibilities of the algorithms officer and think about issues related to AI and machine learning more broadly, including new use cases.
The Office of Technology and Innovation has greater authority for oversight of how city agencies use technology, and has launched initiatives such as the Cyber Academy and Big Apple Connect. The administration is encouraging agencies to consider using AI solutions to serve the public better, but also acknowledges the challenges and risks that can come with AI solutions, and is working on guardrails to ensure ethical use. New York City passed a law in 2021 requiring employers who use algorithm- and AI-based decision-making tools in their hiring process to submit the tool to a bias audit before doing so.
The director of artificial intelligence and machine learning will be responsible for creating governing principles for the responsible use of AI. This includes the transparency of the tools already in use, such as DNA analysis programs and algorithms used by the Department of Education, as well as those used by police, such as facial recognition and gunshot detection technology. The director will also be responsible for creating governing principles for the ethical use of AI, though the details of this strategy are still scarce.
In summary, the Office of Technology and Innovation in New York City is hiring for the role of director of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This role is similar to the algorithms management and policy officer role created in 2019, but will have greater authority for oversight of how city agencies use technology. The director will be responsible for supporting agencies in the productive and responsible use of AI and machine learning tools, creating transparency of the tools already in use, and creating governing principles for the ethical use of AI. The city has passed a law requiring employers to submit decision-making tools to a bias audit before using them, but details on the city’s AI strategy are still scarce.
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