Groundbreaking Project Utilizes Advanced AI to Combat
Financial Misconduct Among U.S. Lawmakers, Garnering Esteemed
Recognition for Social Good Efforts.
BERKELEY, Calif., March 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of graduate students from
the University of California,
Berkeley's School of Information (iSchool) has been honored
for their innovative project designed to combat congressional
insider trading. Their initiative, known as PoliWatch, was recently
awarded the prestigious Sarukkai Social Impact Award.
Established in 2021 by Sekhar and
Rajashree Sarukkai, the Sarukkai Social Impact Award
recognizes exceptional contributions to social welfare made by
iSchool students. The award specifically celebrates excellence
within the iSchool Master's Capstone Projects, honoring initiatives
with the potential to make significant progress in resolving
critical social challenges.
PoliWatch: Utilizing AI to Address Insider Trading
PoliWatch leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to
identify instances of insider trading among members of the U.S.
Congress. The project represents a pioneering effort to address the
challenge of illicit financial gains made by government
officials.
The PoliWatch team – comprised of Matthew Dodd, Aditya Shah, Jocelyn Thai, and Connor
Yen – embarked on their research with a mission to expose
and rectify this concerning issue. Their project utilizes AI
algorithms to detect and monitor potential conflicts of interest in
securities transactions involving active members of Congress.
Significance of PoliWatch
The project's leaders highlight the importance of their work in
promoting ethical conduct among elected officials. "When elected
representatives conceal conflicts of interest, it undermines the
integrity of legislation and public policy, ultimately harming
society at large," Aditya Shah, one of the project leaders, is
quoted in the press release. "Our commitment to addressing this
issue aligns closely with the principles of social good, and we are
deeply honored to receive recognition through the Sarukkai Social
Impact Award."
Matthew Dodd emphasizes the
urgency of tackling congressional insider trading, noting the
negative impact it has on public trust. "The prevalence of
unethical market practices among elected officials not only incites
public outrage but also erodes trust in the judicial process," he
says. "Despite overwhelming evidence, perpetrators often evade
accountability, leaving citizens feeling disenfranchised and
powerless."
Looking Forward
The PoliWatch project is a significant step forward in promoting
transparency and accountability within the U.S. Congress. The
team's innovative approach to utilizing AI to detect insider
trading has the potential to make a real difference in restoring
public trust in our government institutions.
For more details and to learn more about the strides
PoliWatch is making in combating congressional insider trading,
visit the PoliWatch Project
Page https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/projects/2023/poliwatch
Press Contact:
Smita Shaw
4082607320
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SOURCE PoliWatch