BART's board took up the question of how the transit agency should use artificial intelligence on Thursday, Oct. 8, NBC Bay Area reported, continuing a conversation that started in 2024.
Guardrails before tools
The board is working toward a plan that would govern how BART uses AI and how it picks AI vendors. According to NBC Bay Area, the guardrails under discussion cover job security, cybersecurity, human oversight and accountability. BART started experimenting with Microsoft Copilot last year, mostly for research, analysis, writing and communications. In a staff survey, more than half of the employees who responded said they think AI can help productivity and efficiency.
Riders shouldn't expect a big change from this. NBC Bay Area reported that the work is about how staff use the technology day to day.
A new tool for blind and low-vision riders
The same week, BART started a pilot with Aira, a service that links blind and low-vision riders with live, trained visual interpreters through a video call in the free Aira Explorer app. Using the phone's camera, an interpreter can describe what's around the rider, read signs, and help find a station entrance, fare gates, ticket machines and the right platform and train, BART said.
"Blind and low vision riders have told us that navigating to and through our stations can be a real challenge, especially finding fare gates and other key features," said Ryan Greene-Roesel, BART's director of customer access and accessibility.
Aira usually charges by the minute, but during the pilot BART covers calls tied to a BART trip, from the rider's front door to their destination. The service runs around the clock from Oct. 6 through Jan. 3. To use it, riders download the app, make an account, allow camera, microphone and location access, search for "BART" under Browse Access Offers, and then tap "Call an AIRA agent." BART says a live interpreter picks up in 10 to 15 seconds.
The service needs a cell or Wi-Fi signal. BART has free Wi-Fi at SFO, West Oakland, 16th St. Mission, 24th St. Mission, Glen Park, Balboa Park, Embarcadero, Civic Center and Powell St. BART says it will use rider feedback and usage data to decide whether to seek funding to keep the service going.