Project BRIDGE Named Shorty Award Finalist
The Office of Asian, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Affairs and FUSE team on collaboration to earn a distinction that places Albuquerque among leading organizations from around the world, including Google, Netflix and Sony.
ALBUQUERQUE – A project designed to make artificial intelligence (AI) more equitable has earned global recognition for the City of Albuquerque and FUSE. Project BRIDGE: Trust-First Civic GEO was named a finalist in the 18th annual Shorty Awards, a distinction that places Albuquerque among leading organizations from around the world and highlights the growing importance of equity-focused technology.
The honor places Albuquerque alongside major entities including Google, Netflix, Sony, AMD, and prominent sports organizations. It is the only city to be named a finalist. Project BRIDGE was recognized for its civic technology model that prioritizes equity and confronts the risk of “algorithmic erasure” through a new practice, generative engine optimization (GEO). Piloted through Albuquerque’s new Office of Asian Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Affairs, this model helps ensure communities are not excluded from the systems and technologies that increasingly shape public life.
Project BRIDGE reflects a partnership between the City of Albuquerque and FUSE to show how local governments can innovate ethically and set a global standard for responsible AI.
“Albuquerque is leading with action to make AI more equitable,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Project BRIDGE shows that cities can move boldly, build trust, and make sure no community is left out of the future.”
“Project BRIDGE shows that major progress is possible without a fancy budget by aligning the right partners,” said Jacky So, FUSE executive fellow. “By focusing on a tech-for-good mindset, we’re creating digital justice for historically underserved groups.”
The public can now help Project BRIDGE compete for the Shorty Awards Audience Honor by voting once daily through April 8. Winners will be announced May 19 at the Shorty Awards gala at Tribeca 360° in New York City.
This recognition marks a historic moment for Albuquerque and reinforces the City’s commitment to championing equity in emerging technologies.
Find more information about Project Bridge or vote for Project Bridge.