Accidental Mayor: From Debugging Chips to Solving City Problems | Liangfang Chao | TEDxCSTU

Civic Engagement & Leadership - Accidental leadership is possible; individuals can discover unexpected capabilities and excel in roles they never anticipated [1] - Engineers can challenge the status quo and contribute to problem-solving in local government [4] - City council decisions have significant impact on residents, influencing development, fees, public safety, and community events [6] - Electing problem solvers is crucial to avoid illogical policies and ensure effective use of tax dollars [7][8] - Building a "civic roadmap" alongside a professional one is encouraged, dedicating even a small percentage (5%) of time to civic engagement [12][13] AI & Technology in Governance - AI can be used in policy making to analyze budget documents, generate charts, propose solutions, and provide legal analysis [8][9] - AI tools can assist in creating presentations and graphics for policy proposals [9] - Despite AI's capabilities, human empathy and connection remain essential in addressing community concerns and fostering trust [10][11] Community & Social Capital - Building social capital is as important as financial capital, fostering trust, connection, and people power [12] - Community integration can be achieved through art, dance, and storytelling, creating a dataset of local stories for future use [11] - Small acts of helping others can create a positive ripple effect, leading to increased social capital and community involvement [11][13]