In a recent government meeting, Superintendent McCall introduced an innovative AI chatbot designed to enhance community understanding of an upcoming referendum set for November 5th. The referendum, which involves a complex $19.4 million investment strategy aimed at improving student learning, has been a focal point of discussion among board members and community members alike.

Recognizing the challenges in conveying the intricacies of the referendum, McCall highlighted the efforts made by board members to engage with the community through various channels, including in-person meetings, virtual forums, and social media. To further facilitate understanding, local entrepreneur Mani Tavasi, who runs the technology company Trivy, volunteered to develop the chatbot. This tool, named Decision.ai, will be accessible via mobile devices and browsers, allowing users to ask questions and receive immediate answers about the referendum.

Tavasi explained that the chatbot was trained using a variety of existing materials related to the referendum, including documents and videos, to ensure it provides accurate and relevant information. During the meeting, he demonstrated the chatbot's capabilities, answering questions about funding allocations, potential impacts on property taxes, and the consequences if the referendum fails.

The chatbot aims to provide clear and transparent information to help community members make informed decisions ahead of the vote. It is linked to the Rochester School District's website and is expected to be a valuable resource in the final weeks leading up to the referendum. As the meeting concluded, both McCall and Tavasi encouraged community engagement and emphasized the importance of every vote, especially in light of last year's narrow defeat of a similar proposal.