As we head into the home stretch of the most contentious and divisive elections in a generation, I am proud of the work we're doing here at the Kennedy Institute. Every day we lift up the example of Ted Kennedy as an antidote to the ills confronting our democracy. Senator Kennedy fought fervently for the principles he held dear yet he was the first person to reach across the aisle if it would move those ideals and goals forward, even slightly.
This year, we have cemented our efforts to put that into practice. We are launching the next phase of our Bolstering Elections project with the Robert J. Dole Institute to highlight the need for increased government funding for our elections infrastructure. Following this summer's debate between Sen. Cassidy and Sen. Whitehouse, our next Senate Project debate is around the corner in an effort to model deliberation between current Senators before a national audience. And we've recently launched our newest policy simulation on AI regulation for students to deliberate and debate one of the most important issues of the day.
We remain deeply worried about the polling that indicates that only one-third of Millennials believe it is essential to live in a democracy. But the tens of thousands of students who come through our doors each year only provide us with hope about future generations of leaders.
It is with these actions in mind, undertaken with your help, that I know we will continue to advance Sen. Kennedy's democratic ideals during and after this critical election.
Thank you,
Adam G. Hinds
CEO
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
CIVIC EDUCATION
Kennedy Institute Introduces AI Policy Program to Support Civic and Digital Literacy
AI Policy Simulations Added to Educational Offerings
Our education team is looking forward to working with thousands of new students this fall, engaging young people around the country in conversations about elections and voting rights, climate and energy policy, and immigration. We are also excited to be offering two new programs that focus on artificial intelligence and technology innovation.
The Pathways to Artificial Intelligence Regulation program introduces middle school students to some of the benefits and challenges posed by artificial intelligence as they build a bill to regulate how the innovative technology should be used within the fields of education, health care, law enforcement, and business. Working together as senators, students create regulations for artificial intelligence with a special focus on privacy, non-discrimination, and safety.
High school students can now participate in our newest Senate Immersion Module (SIM) program–Technology Reform: Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, and Social Media. Students convene in the Institute's full-scale replica of the United States Senate Chamber and, guided by staff and individual tablets, take on the roles of senators to grapple with the most important technological matters of the 21st century. They must balance innovation and regulation of artificial intelligence, data privacy, and social media as they debate issues including job automation, semiconductor development, the potential banning of TikTok, protections for personal data, and the use of AI in criminal sentencing.
The new Tech Reform program launched September 13th with a visit from the Met High School from Providence, Rhode Island. This group of 9th graders were the first students this school year to be sworn in as senators for the day to work on this important issue.
To date, the Kennedy Institute’s award-winning civics education programs have benefitted over 140,000 students from 21 states and are free for Massachusetts public schools. Student groups can participate in person at the Kennedy Institute in Boston or join Institute educators for a virtual program session. Bookings are open for K-12 teachers across the country. Learn more here.
Support Future Civic Leaders Today
Your donation today will enable over 20,000 K-College students to participate in our immersive civic education this school year, learning about the unique role of the Senate in our democracy and engaging in debate and negotiation around some of the biggest policy issues of our lifetime. It's more important than ever to engage young people in our democracy to safeguard it for future generations and we couldn't do it without you.
October 23: Transforming Democracy in the Latino Century
Join us on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00 PM ET for an enlightening book event with Mike Madrid, political consultant, Co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and expert on Latino voting trends, on his latest book, “The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy,” moderated by acclaimed journalist, Ray Suarez. This Hispanic Heritage celebration event is brought to you in partnership with Conexión and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.
Chuck Todd moderates fifth Senate Project debate with Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse
This summer, the Kennedy Institute was honored to host Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in our replica Senate Chamber for the fifth installment of The Senate Project debate series, in partnership with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Moderated by NBC News’ Chuck Todd and broadcast on C-SPAN, the Senators debated climate and energy, border policy, health care, and the filibuster. The Senate Project brings current US Senators before a national audience to model the culture of substantive discourse and debate in the search for common interest.
CEO Adam Hinds recently chatted with Ed Tech Innovation reporter Emma Stokes about civic education in the U.S. Adam shares insights about EMKI’s new AI policy program and how it will enhance civic and digital literacy, helping students navigate key tech issues like AI, data privacy, and social media regulation in a hands-on, legislative environment. Read the full interview here.
BOLSTERING ELECTIONS
Virtual Conversation: Designing Democracy in America
Elections don’t just happen. They’re designed and administered by over 10,000 local election offices across America. The Edward M. Kennedy and Robert J. Dole Institutes hosted a virtual conversation on how election administrators serve as resource-strapped logistical experts, investing hours planning the voting process - from polling place locations, to ballot instructions, to poll worker training - all under the added strains of cybersecurity threats and supply chain shortages.
As part of our Bolstering Elections initiative, the discussion highlighted a special exhibit currently on display at the Dole Institute, “Election Administrators/Election Designers” from the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University. Exhibit designers David Janka and Thomas Both of the Stanford Design School discussed how local election officials tirelessly plan fair, free, and safe elections in conversation with Tammy Patrick, Former Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. A digital version of the exhibit can be found here.
We want to thank you for being a loyal reader of our On The Point newsletter. If you haven't already, we encourage you to take the next step of becoming a member of the Kennedy Institute. Benefits include advanced notice of upcoming special events, exhibits, and programs; member-only updates throughout the year; and special pricing for ticketed Kennedy Institute events.
Your membership supports our mission to inspire all Americans to participate in the civic life of our communities and our country, and to educate K-12 students and people of all ages about the unique role of the Senate in our democracy.
