United States of AI Ethical Policy - The Local Frontier: Building AI Policy from Main Street to the Statehouse

A Civic Brief from Future in Common

Part of the series: “The United States of AI: An Ethical Policy Platform for American Workers”

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What This Brief Covers:

AI isn’t just a federal issue—it’s reshaping classrooms, courts, job centers, and city budgets right now. And yet, most local leaders are being left out of the conversation.

This practical, forward-looking civic brief makes the case for empowering state and local officials, educators, and community members to lead in the AI transition. It outlines ten clear strategies to help communities harness the benefits of AI while protecting public values like transparency, fairness, and democracy.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI is already showing up in local systems and services

• Why federal inaction creates new responsibilities—and opportunities—for state and local leaders

• 10 actionable strategies to build ethical AI policy from the ground up

• Ways to translate national AI debates into local governance, community advocacy, and public engagement

Who It’s For:

• Mayors, city councilmembers, and state legislators

• Local educators, librarians, and civic tech workers

• Community organizers and policy advocates

• Anyone ready to shape the future of AI from the ground up

Why It Matters:

If we wait for Washington to act, we’ll miss our chance to shape how AI impacts our schools, services, and civil rights. Local leaders have the power—and responsibility—to lead now. This guide helps them do it with clarity, urgency, and care.

License & Use

This brief is copyrighted © 2025 by Deion Lemelle / Future in Common.

The ideas are meant to be shared, adapted, and built upon.

Please do not republish the full document without permission.

You’re welcome to cite, quote, or use the concepts with attribution.