With the rise of AI, it can feel like chatbots and automation are replacing human connection. There are also ethical concerns around its use and impact that must be addressed, especially in underserved communities that are already facing heightened environmental risks from the influx of data centers. As an optimist who is looking for opportunities among challenges, I keep asking myself: How can AI help these communities?
For AI to support underserved communities, it must be used with community values and needs in mind. That means designing and using AI tools that solve local challenges and strengthen community voices and systems rather than override them. It also requires remembering that AI is only as good as the information it draws from and being clear about what these tools should and should not do.
Below are a few examples of how AI can be helpful for underserved populations.
Provide language translation and plain language communications. AI can help translate complex information into plain language and make content easier to understand for all audiences. For example, AI can simplify and streamline medical intake by replacing technical terms with plain explanations while keeping the meanings accurate. AI tools can also quickly translate information into native languages for non-English speakers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that using AI for translation works best as a supporting tool; you still need human experts to review, refine and adapt the content to ensure it is accurate and culturally relevant for the intended audience.
Improve accessibility for people with disabilities. AI can help individuals with disabilities be more independent by making sure communication is accessible. For example, AI virtual assistants can help employees streamline manual tasks such as scheduling meetings and answering emails. AI tools can also help people with hearing or vision loss communicate with others by creating captions and transcripts, audio narration, and accessible formats for meetings, trainings, videos and webinars. The federal government requires specific accessibility standards, and using AI tools can be an effective and efficient way to ensure people with disabilities benefit from multi-format information. That said, it’s essential that final materials are reviewed by humans for quality control.
Navigate services and support in communities. At the local level, AI can be used to connect people in underserved communities to trusted advocates that can provide the help they need. It can identify services and support by highlighting community-based organizations that are addressing specific issues — such as health care, food assistance, housing and education — and pointing people to where they can get help. For example, if someone is looking for food assistance, AI can create a list of real organizations and programs in a community that offer that support. Of course, it’s always important to verify that the resources generated by AI are reputable, up-to-date and trusted by checking the organization’s website or calling to speak with someone directly.
Amplify storytelling from community voices. Storytelling is a powerful tool to elevate community voices and lived experience from those who are most connected to an issue. However, not everyone has the ability or opportunity to shape their stories for audiences who need to hear them. While it’s important not to replace the lived experience and authenticity of the community voice, AI tools can help shape and share it by turning informal conversations between communicators and community members into draft outlines of stories. It can also tailor the content of the story for different platforms.
Build skills, knowledge and workforce development. AI can provide access to skills and competencies that build local capacity. In education, it can widen access to training and learning opportunities and help close the knowledge gaps, especially in historically under-resourced communities. For community-based organizations, AI can help create efficiencies and streamline certain tasks so staff can focus on higher-impact work.
