(Josh Burgess | Photo and graphic courtesy of COCAP)
COCAP says early poll participation has been strong, but key demographic and geographic perspectives remain underrepresented as the region explores AI’s long-term impact on work, healthcare, education and civic life.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries, workplaces and public institutions, a regional Central Oregon initiative is asking residents to help define how those changes should unfold locally.
Hundreds of residents across Central Oregon have already participated in an ongoing public poll examining the opportunities, concerns and community impacts surrounding AI. Organizers say the response demonstrates strong regional interest, but additional participation is needed to ensure the final data reflects the full breadth of perspectives across the region.
The initiative is led by the Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) in partnership with Citizens4Community, Central Oregon Community College, Mosaic Health and the Bloom Project. The poll is open to residents throughout Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, as well as the Warm Springs Reservation.
Current outreach efforts are especially focused on increasing participation among:
- Residents ages 18-25
- Men ages 55+
- Residents of Crook County
The anonymous poll takes only a few minutes to complete and is designed to move beyond traditional survey models by allowing participants to contribute ideas, respond to one another, and elevate community priorities collaboratively. More information is available at COCAP AI Initiative
“This is a different kind of poll that offers participants the chance to contribute and vote on one another’s ideas. COCAP is committed to bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in good faith to tackle hard problems,” said Josh Burgess, founder and executive director of the Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP).
Organizers say the effort is intended to help Central Oregon proactively engage with the implications of AI before those decisions are shaped entirely elsewhere. Topics emerging from early participation include workforce disruption, healthcare access, education, misinformation, economic opportunity and the role of AI in rural communities.
In May and June, COCAP’s Community Stewards will facilitate additional community conversations designed to surface personal experiences and regional concerns related to AI adoption and governance.
The resulting data and community input will help inform a collaborative Civic Assembly planned for this fall, bringing together residents, business leaders, local officials and subject matter experts to explore practical next steps for AI policy, preparedness and regional resilience.
About Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP):
The Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) is a Central Oregon-based nonprofit dedicated to bridging divides and building trust through deliberative democracy. Founded following the success of the 2024 Deschutes Civic Assembly on Youth Homelessness, Oregon’s first Citizens’ Assembly, COCAP creates spaces for Central Oregon residents to engage in meaningful dialogue and collective problem-solving across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties and the Warm Springs Reservation.
