In April 2025, the Academy’s cross-sector expert Task Force on AI, Emerging Technology, and Disability Benefits released its first report outlining principles and guardrails to guide the Social Security Administration’s approach to AI and to act as a “north star” for future regulations, guidance and policies, particularly in rights-impacting contexts. The use of AI and emerging technology in the context of disability benefits presents both risks and opportunities.
On May 20, the Academy brought together the report’s Co-Principal Investigators along with an expert panel to discuss the Task Force’s initial report.
Task Force Members:
Chantel Boyens, Urban Institute, Co-Principal Investigator
Jack Smalligan, Urban Institute, Co-Principal Investigator
Jen Burdick, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Co-Chair
David Camp, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, Co-Chair
Henry Claypool, American Association of People with Disabilities and Center for Democracy and Technology, Co-Chair
Tracey Gronniger, Justice in Aging, Co-Chair
Ariana Aboulafia, Center for Democracy and Technology
Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown, National Disability Institute
Ashley Burnside, Center for Law and Social Policy
Fay Lomax Cook, Northwestern University
Jeff Cruz, American Federation of Government Employees
Indivar Dutta-Gupta, National Academy of Social Insurance
Hannah Groch-Begley, The Roosevelt Institute
Mia Ives-Rublee, Center for American Progress
Dom Kelly, New Disabled South
Aparna Mathur, Amazon
Graham McDonald, Urban Institute
Tom Nicholls, AARP
Shaun O’Brien, AFSCME
Aron Paquette, Unum
Rylin Rodgers, Microsoft
Steven Rollins, Former Associate Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Meilani Santillán, Code for America
Tim Shaw, Aspen Institute
Jude Soundar, Microsoft
Emerson Sprick, Bipartisan Policy Center
Shelley Washington, AFGE Local 1923
David Weaver, University of South Carolina
Darren Webb, Mindset Care
David Wittenburg, Westat