AI Meets Public Policy: LSU Graduate Plays Groundbreaking Role in D.C.
August 28, 2024
– Colin Raby speaks during a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in Washington, D.C.
Colin Raby’s commitment and service to the LSU campus led him to become one of the first congressional artificial intelligence (AI) specialists in the nation, tasked with pioneering AI-powered tools to help Congress run more efficiently.
“To me, being a pioneer in this role is exciting because it allows me to be at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field. It requires combining technical expertise in AI system development, effective teamwork, effective communication, and skilled public policy analysis,” Raby said.
His time at LSU was packed with achievements, both individually and as a team player. A 2024 Honors College graduate, Raby was a Tiger Twelve recipient, twice on the Homecoming Court, and a two-time national champion in the AAEA Academic Bowl. He participated in numerous organizations, including re-founding LSU Silver Wings, a group dedicated to community service and education about national defense. As an LSU Student Government senator for five terms, he helped shape initiatives that left a lasting mark on the university.
– Colin Raby with his Tiger Twelve award from LSU.
One of his proudest moments was raising thousands of dollars with LSU ROTC students and active military members during the Det. 310 Ruck March, where they carried 40-pound packs for more than 300 miles from LSU to Eglin Air Force Base. Raby also led LSU Silver Wings in delivering over 3,500 pounds of non-perishable supplies to a Fort Myers, Fla., food bank after a devastating hurricane.
In his senior year, Raby dove into LSU’s growing AI program as part of the first cohort to take a new course co-taught by Provost Haggerty, local entrepreneur Henry Hays, and AI expert Professor James Ghawaly. The course, HNRS 3035, which focused on applied large language models, gave him hands-on experience building AI applications for local organizations like Our Lady of the Lake and the LSU AgCenter.
“This hands-on experience was invaluable, as it taught me how to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions while working in a team of developers who could augment each other’s weaknesses,” Raby said.
This course led to an opportunity for Raby to share his AI insights with Louisiana’s Community Advisory Panels (CAP). After the course, he returned as a teaching assistant, and that spring, he partnered with two other LSU students, Julius Pallotta and Grant Muslow, to compete in the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business’ 2024 J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge.
“We won the first-place prize for our idea to develop a groundbreaking Agricultural AI Assistant that is on track to be released in the coming months for general use by those in agriculture throughout Louisiana,” Raby said.
Raby, who calls both Baton Rouge and Cleveland, Ohio, home, graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and minors in aerospace engineering and economics. He now works in Washington, D.C., as one of the first congressional AI specialists for Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
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“I have the opportunity to build AI-powered tools that enable Congress to run more effectively, efficiently, and transparently while helping shape the direction of AI policy to balance fostering innovation with ethical considerations and societal needs,” Raby said.
Splitting his time between the Rayburn House Office Building and the O'Neill Building, Raby collaborates with key House Committees on AI policy, including the Select Committee on the CCP, the Space Science and Technology Committee, and the Energy and Commerce Committee. His role blends technical, analytical, and communication tasks to leverage AI for positive change and informed policy development.
Raby credits LSU for preparing him with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this groundbreaking role.
“The combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, opportunities for technical communication, and collaborative learning prepared me to tackle the challenges of integrating AI into policy and building tools to improve organizational workflows,” Raby said.
As his time as a Congressional AI Specialist wraps up in September, he looks forward to continuing his work in emerging technologies, driven by the belief that with collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to service, even the impossible can become a reality.
– Colin Raby at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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