A few weeks ago, Athena Strategies’ Mike Moser and Matt Crane, Executive Director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, supported the National Association of Counties (NACo) by unveiling a new training designed to equip election officials with a foundational framework for safeguarding election infrastructure in the age of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).
The new training, titled “The Rise of the Machine: Risk and Governance in the Age of Algorithms,” focuses on how the rapid advancement of AI is transforming every sector and the unique challenges and opportunities this presents to state and local election officials.
Building on the shared mission of empowering election officials, Moser and Crane highlight the necessity for leaders to understand and manage the evolving landscape. Their discussion delves into how AI technology, while offering potential efficiencies, also introduces new complexities and challenges for election operations, including challenges to public trust.
To help support officials in navigating increasingly complex environments, the training provides crucial perspectives on responsible governance and strategic readiness. Through the course, participants:
- Learn the basics of AI: Understanding common types and how they might appear in an office setting.
- Explore risks and threats: Identifying potential vulnerabilities and malicious uses of AI, considering their impacts on election operations.
- Build readiness for the future: Exploring responsible opportunities to use AI in ways that improve effectiveness without compromising security.
This training helps jurisdictions focus on their needs and create unique solutions that strengthen their operations while minimizing risk. If you are a public official seeking to understand AI better or is interested in support, Athena Strategies is available to help.
Watch the video of the training here: https://www.naco.org/event/rise-machine-risk-and-governance-age-algorithms
Special thanks to the Center for Tech and Civic Life for partnering on this training.
Visit our resource library for more information on how elections work: https://athena-strategies.com/resource-search/.