Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones gives AI takes on national TV
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San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones in an episode of "Breaking the Deadlock" on PBS. Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Nierman/WGBH Educational Foundation/Andrew Lack
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is featured in a new episode of a national PBS show in which participants debate the pros and cons of real AI use cases.
Why it matters: Although the episode of "Breaking the Deadlock" features fictional scenarios, the questions posed to Jones and other participants are very real issues — and cases that Jones could encounter as mayor.
How it works: In the episode, eight participants, including Jones, are tasked with making decisions in hypothetical AI dilemmas. They address public safety, privacy, personal financial reward, transparency and more.
- The storylines are made up and the participants are not technically playing themselves. But each is given a role that mirrors their real life and opinions; Jones is participating as the mayor of a fictional town.
The big picture: Overall, Jones takes a wait-and-see approach to government use of AI during the show. She tends toward being cautious and consulting city attorneys.
Zoom in: In one scenario, Jones is asked if she would support using AI cameras to investigate a crime relating to a stolen gun.
- Jones, as mayor of the fictional town, at first says she would be worried about civil rights issues — but when she's told the public is aware of the cameras and doesn't have many complaints regarding gun crimes, she then says it's okay to move forward with the AI cameras if lawyers have signed off on it.
What they're saying: "I think it's important that we're always trying to use technology to address and reduce time from other officers," Jones says on the show.
Zoom out: In real life, Jones is one of 10 city leaders in the global Mayors AI Forum launched earlier this year by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins. That gives her an active role in shaping best AI practices for cities.
- Jones has said that she thinks Ready to Work, the city's job training program, should prepare workers for jobs that won't be replaced by AI.
- She told the SA Report earlier this year that AI could be used in city government to make determinations about fines and help people navigate the permitting process.
What's next: The episode premieres 8pm Tuesday on PBS. It will also stream on PBS.org, YouTube and the PBS app.
The bottom line: "The tech answers to the people," Jones says on the show. "It needs to be focused on the public good."