The Legal Aid Society hopes to serve more Upper Cumberland residents thanks to a new $200,000 grant designed to invest in artificial intelligence.
Senior Deputy Director of Client Services Zac Oswald said the organization applied for the Technology Initiative Grant to expand the services they provide. Oswald said the organization struggles with availability, needing to be available for clients whenever and wherever they are. Oswald said this technology will allow clients to access services at all hours and automate information in-taking process for cases.
“We have to collect certain information in order to process cases,” Oswald said. “This is going to let us do that in a more efficient manner so that we can spend more time actually working with our clients and delivering justice.”
Oswald said a portion of the money will be spent developing the technology and testing it. Another part of the money will be used to create a way for the information clients give over the phone to be collected and put into the case management system.
Oswald said the organization is building internal APIs, where information will be able to flow from one system to the other. The final portion of the money will be spent on training the staff on using the tech, implementing it, and evaluating it.
“Anytime that we can make ourselves more available for the clients who need us, it’s going to be a positive for us,” Oswald said.
Oswald said many clients work during operating hours, understanding the need for more flexible scheduling options for clients. Oswald said many clients have time constraints through the day. Oswald said the organization wanted to be sure to give them the option of calling when they have a moment of time in their day.
“Whether that is a domestic violence victim who has had a moment where they step away from their abuser, or whether it’s somebody who’s been taken advantage by a company,” Oswald said. “And they need an opportunity to call somebody and reach out, they don’t have to worry about leaving a message and playing phone tag.”