Challenges to Grassroot Organization Engagement with AI Policy

Jennifer Mickel, Carter Buckner, William Agnew, Yanan Long, Michelle Lin, B.V. Alaka, Angelina Wang, Sarthak Arora, Nandhini Swaminathan, Arjun Subramonian

Keywords: AI policy, artificial intelligence, bias, harms, LGBTQIA+, participatory methods

Abstract: Around the world, policies are being developed to address privacy, economic, intellectual property, energy, and other risks that AI technologies pose. Simultaneously, institutions are creating standards and best practices to further the use of AI. The development of standards and policies involves many well-resourced actors and opaque development processes, often sidelining the needs of marginalized populations, who often lack extensive networks, lobbying capabilities, and other forms of power. In this paper, we present the participatory development of AI policies that meet the needs of queer people through grassroots advocacy. We use collaborative autoethnography to surface granular challenges our organization has faced in doing so, along with factors that assisted us. We conclude with actionable recommendations for empowering marginalized communities to participate in policy development and insights for other marginalized communities working to develop policy to mitigate harms.

Submission Number: 35