Brian Erickson
Leveraging AI-Assisted Real-Time Public Comment Analysis for Just and Efficient Public Participation in Conservation
Abstract
This research project aims to make it easier for everyone to have a voice in protecting endangered species and ecosystems. When government agencies make decisions about conservation, they often ask for public feedback. However, sorting through thousands of comments is time-consuming and challenging. We plan to create tools using artificial intelligence that work alongside government staff to quickly organize and summarize public comments. These tools will be designed to support humans in their decision-making process—not replace them. They will help address current fairness issues by helping all comments receive attention, regardless of how they're written or who submitted them. The tools will also help identify when organized campaigns generate thousands of duplicate submissions, allowing staff to recognize these patterns while still honoring each unique perspective. Our team will work directly with government partners to understand their needs, develop and test these AI tools as supportive resources, and measure how well they enhance both the efficiency and fairness of the human review process.
Mentors
Dr. Charlotte Chang at Pomona College and Dr. Megan Jones with Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey
Undergraduate Education
B.A. Biology, Lewis & Clark College, 2006
M.S. Teaching Adolescent Biology, Fordham University, 2011
M.S. Marine Resource Management, Oregon State University, 2018
Graduate Education
Ph.D., Fisheries (Social) Science, Oregon State University, 2023
