On December second, I completed Challenge Five by choosing Option D, the Advocacy Challenge. Since my focus is artificial intelligence and its impact on communities, I decided to contact a public official to share my concerns and advocate for stronger AI education and safety guidelines. I completed this challenge from home in Maryland by writing and sending an email to Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen. As confirmation of the experience, I included a screenshot of the sent email, which clearly shows the date, time, recipient, and full content of my message. In the email, I explained who I was, why I was concerned about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, and what kinds of changes might better support students and community members. I advocated for AI literacy programs, more transparency around the use of AI in public agencies, and community guidance that helps people recognize risks like misinformation or deepfake content. Sending the email served as my advocacy action and demonstrated my engagement with the real policy conversation surrounding AI.
The event itself was straightforward but meaningful. I drafted my message carefully to make sure it was clear, respectful, and understandable, especially since AI can be a complicated issue. After reviewing it a few times, I sent it and took a screenshot for documentation. Even though the action was small, it felt significant to participate directly in civic engagement on a topic that affects my generation so strongly. One of my biggest takeaways was realizing how easy it actually is to communicate with elected officials and express concerns about emerging issues. I also learned that advocacy does not need to be large or public to matter. Even a short, sincere email can be part of a larger push for positive change. I also discovered how important it is to break down AI into simple ideas that people outside the technology world can understand, because policymakers often do not have the same background that students or younger people may have.
Through this challenge, I learned that my issue, artificial intelligence, is still very new for many communities and that there is a real need for education, transparency, and safety standards. Many people use or encounter AI tools without realizing how they work or what risks they carry. Completing this challenge showed me that advocating for AI literacy is necessary because communities are not yet prepared for the speed at which AI is evolving. The most successful part of the experience was being able to communicate my concerns clearly and confidently. I felt good about the tone and clarity of the email, and I believe the message was respectful and constructive. The least successful part was the uncertainty about whether or when I will receive a response. Advocacy can feel incomplete when you cannot see immediate results, but I understand that civic actions often take time.
If I were to do this challenge differently, I would consider including examples of other cities or school districts that have already started implementing AI education or safety programs. Adding those models could make the message even stronger by showing that these ideas are realistic and already working elsewhere. I might also contact more than one official next time to increase the reach of my advocacy. Even so, contacting one official was still an important first step. This challenge will help me going forward because it showed me that I am capable of speaking up about technology issues that matter to me. It helped me feel more confident in reaching out to leaders and participating in conversations that affect my community. I now understand that I have a voice in shaping how AI is discussed, understood, and regulated.
After completing this challenge, I am left with several questions. I wonder how prepared local governments truly are to address AI related issues, especially things like deepfakes or biased algorithms that could affect public trust. I also wonder what resources schools would need to teach AI literacy effectively and whether policymakers themselves receive any training about emerging technologies. I am curious about how elected officials stay informed when technology changes so quickly. Another question I have is what steps, if any, will be taken as a result of my email. Even though I may not receive an answer right away, the process has encouraged me to stay engaged with AI policy and continue learning about how technology and civic life intersect.
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