Applying Artificial Intelligence in Community-Oriented Work

Part One
Applying Artificial Intelligence in Community-Oriented Work
Event Date & Time
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Event Location
Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, Pillsbury Hall 120

310 Pillsbury Dr SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Event Registration

Join us at the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub for two hands-on workshops centered around Applying Artificial Intelligence in Community-Oriented Work. The sessions will explore the potential of leveraging AI in community-oriented projects. Participants will consider the possibilities and limits of applying Large Language models (LLM), such as ChatGPT, in meaningful and ethical projects aimed at public good. 

During the first workshop, participants will acquire an understanding of current innovations in AI LLM. They will learn the "what, who, where, when, why, and don’ts" of applying AI in community-oriented work. They will specifically explore the application of ChatGPT and other Large Language models to consider the key principles, tactics, and ethical strategies to consider in community-oriented work.  

The second session on March 21 will focus the application of AI to specific case studies brought by participants. Click here for more information about next session. While attending both workshops will provide a more holistic understanding and practical experience, you are welcome to join either session individually based on your interests and availability. 

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is designed for community members, activists, policymakers, educators, community engagement practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI and community-oriented work.

Meet the Facilitators: 

Professional headshop of Fernando Burga
Fernando Bruga

Fernando Burga, PhD is an assistant professor at the Humphrey School of public affairs in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program (MURP) and an Extension Specialist in Community development at the UMN. Fernando is an Emerging Technology Faculty Fellow and teaches in the areas of land use planning and civic participation. He has piloted the use of AI in urban planning policy and site planning work with students. He is currently working with Queen Frye on an UROC (Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center) sponsored research project considering the evolution of fast foodscape in North Minneapolis and how social networks promote urban agriculture. 

Queen holding an enormous harvest of homegrown veggies.
Queen Frye
Queen Frye is a Generational Urban Farmer and Owner of R. Roots Garden, a private urban farm in the Willard-Hay Neighborhood of North Minneapolis. She has been growing for six successful seasons, 2019-2024, and is the recipient of the Hennepin County’s Family Farm of the year award 2024. Her operations consist of growing, teaching and practicing sustainable agriculture. With a background in accounting, she is using her transferable skills to build a sustainable model that will have a positive impact on the health of the individual, the community and the environment of North Minneapolis for generations to come. She is new to AI tools but has been part of the WorldWideWeb movement so what else is new! She is currently working on a community engaged research project, critical foodscapes, through UROC (Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center) with Fernando Burga. Click to learn more about the research project and to hear a brief summary of the project on UROC's Rules of Engagement Podcast. 
Xun smiling and holding a cardboard sign reading "Freedom & Solidarity" in both English and Mandarin
Xun Yu

Hello everyone, my name is Xun (Shoon), and I am a Ph.D. candidate in Comparative and International Development Education. As a Chinese feminist activist, I am dedicated to promoting anti-oppressive, decolonial, and anti-racist values in both my work and everyday life. Being an international student, I deeply value the power of solidarity and collaborative community efforts. I am excited to engage with all of you and work together in this workshop.

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