DENVER – Today, Colorado and national organizations representing workers, patients, tenants, and consumers joined forces to launch the People’s Alliance for Responsible Technology (PART) — a bold new coalition fighting for fair, ethical AI that protects Coloradans when it matters most.

Big Tech companies are run by billionaires who don’t play by the same rules as the rest of us. They get away with breaking the law by buying politicians with SuperPACs, dodging the courts, pushing their aggressive political agendas, and advancing legislation to exempt themselves from responsibility. Meanwhile, their software and other tech tools use invisible technology to spy on us at work, exploit our personal data to charge us more for what we buy, and discriminate against people based on race, disabilities, age and gender.

Studies have shown that the use of automated decision systems have enabled:

Given these behaviors, Americans are leery about the use of AI in important decisions that affect them, as demonstrated by recent Consumer Reports polling results:

PART supports AI regulation grounded in transparency and accountability — requiring that people are informed when AI affects consequential decisions, can challenge automated outcomes, and have recourse when companies cause harm. The coalition will engage on legislation to ensure alignment with these values.

These quotes may be attributed to the following PART leaders:

Nina DiSalvo, Policy Director with PART member Towards Justice: “This new coalition brings together advocates, academics and everyday Coloradans to push back against the outsized influence Big Tech has over our economy, society and democracy. By uniting diverse voices, we’re creating a powerful counterbalance—one that champions innovation and ensures Colorado entrepreneurs and businesses can thrive using cutting-edge technology, while also putting in place the guardrails needed to prevent abuse, protect consumers and preserve fair competition.”

Anaya Robinson, Public Policy Director, ACLU of Colorado, and PART member: “The rise of AI presents real risks of entrenching and deepening inequities. AI is only as good as the data that powers it and data often contains gaps and biases that can lead to unfair outcomes. Humans must play an active role in shaping, correcting, and guiding these systems — or we risk reinforcing the harms that must end. PART will ensure that the people’s call for fair, thoughtful guardrails is heard and acted upon and not overshadowed by Big Tech’s race to capture unprecedented profits.”

Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of PART member Colorado AFL-CIO: “Big Tech companies skirt the law and hire lobbyists to convince policymakers that their business models are somehow exempt from the rules that apply to everyone else. They’ve used their massive economic power to argue that rideshare companies aren’t taxis, FinTech apps aren’t lenders and delivery network companies aren’t employers. Working people know better—and they know we can’t stand by while Big Tech rewrite our laws to serve corporate profits instead of our well-being. PART is standing up to abuse and fighting to restore fairness and accountability.”

Travis Hall, PART member and Director for State Engagement at the Center for Democracy and Technology: “AI-powered tools are making important decisions in our lives—whether someone can access a mortgage, gain admission to college or receive an accurate medical diagnosis. It is vital that these systems that are making these consequential decisions are developed and deployed in a manner that is transparent, fair, and accountable. The use of these tools is often done in a manner that obscures why or how a decision is made, sometimes even to those who created the system. That lack of transparency is a problem, not only for individuals subject to these systems, but also for the regulators in charge of enforcing our laws, and even companies who are thinking of using AI without fully understanding the possible risks. PART will play an important role in educating the public about these systems, and ensuring policymakers require appropriate safeguards.”

Adam Fox, Deputy Director at PART member Colorado Consumer Health Initiative: “Algorithmic decision-making systems can influence what care you receive or whether it’s covered by your insurance or not, so we need to ensure AI isn’t hurting Coloradans. Most of the time, patients don’t even know these systems are being used and aren’t being informed of how these systems are influencing their health care or coverage. Healthcare entities shouldn’t be able to hide their use of AI systems when they harm individual Coloradans. Consumers deserve robust protections and transparency when these systems are used.”

Marissa Molina, Chief Policy and Communications Officer at PART member the Community Economic Defense Project: “AI is already reshaping how people work, earn a living, and access opportunities. As this technology becomes more integrated into our economy and public life, it must serve the public good and strengthen – not undermine – economic security. That requires transparency when systems affect people’s livelihoods, accountability when they cause harm and a shared commitment to ensuring the benefits of AI reach everyone in Colorado and across the country.”