Edward M. Kennedy Institute introduces a new AI policy program to support civic and digital literacy

 

August 13, 2024 (Boston, Mass.)  – This fall, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate  is launching “Technology Reform: Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, and Social Media”,  a new topic for the popular and award-winning Senate Immersion Module (SIM) program. 

The Kennedy Institute’s SIM program for middle and high school students uses role play, negotiation, and debate skills to help students learn about the legislative process. Hosted in the Kennedy Institute’s full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate chamber, students take on the role of a U.S. senator, learn about a policy topic, work together to draft a bill, and then debate and vote on their legislation using Senate rules and procedures.

The SIM is a hands-on way to learn about the legislative process, key policy issues, and the skills necessary for effective law making and sustainable civic life — civil dialogue and negotiating differences by identifying common interests. The Technology Reform topic helps students work together to craft legislative solutions for today’s most pressing tech policy problems: the innovation and regulation of artificial intelligence, data privacy, and social media.

“Our world is at a critical point with technology, specifically, AI,” said Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds. “There’s an enormous value in teaching the next generation about the importance of regulating new technology as we watch similar legislative battles play out on the national stage, such as the Google antitrust case, the TikTok sell-off and children’s access to social media.”

The Kennedy Institute welcomes students from across the country for interactive civic education programming. Students participating in the SIM program are given a tablet with their individual senator profile and party, state, and personal interests to navigate through. The students then participate in a subcommittee hearing and select provisions to start drafting a bill, followed by a full committee meeting where they choose amongst six amendments to shape the bill to suit their interests. 

In addition to the policy issues themselves, students explore political party dynamics in their senator roles. Students representing the Democratic Party support the careful development of AI technologies, balancing innovation and regulation, but also limiting the expansion and reach of deep fakes and other forms of misinformation that could be used to harm individuals or skew election procedures. Students representing Republicans find themselves split on the issue of AI, some favoring strict oversight and others opposing too much regulation. 

The new Tech Reform program will launch this September with a visit from the Met High School from Providence, Rhode Island. This group of 9th graders will be the first students this school year to be sworn in as senators for the day to work on this important issue.

To date, the Kennedy Institute’s award-winning civics education programs have benefitted over 160,000 students from 21 states and are free for Massachusetts public schools. Student groups can participate in person at the Kennedy Institute in Boston or  join Institute educators for a virtual program session. Bookings are open for K-12 teachers across the country. Learn more at https://emkinstitute.org/civic_education/

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About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United State Senate 

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate actively inspires all Americans to keep our democracy and civic life vibrant, educate the public about the unique role of the Senate in our government, and promote civil discourse to drive bipartisan solutions for our nation’s challenges. Through educational programs, public forums, and digital exhibits, the Kennedy Institute welcomes individuals of all ages to debate the issues of the day, learn from each other, and leave empowered to make their own contributions to improving their communities.