AI & Accessibility Policies

AI & Accessibility Policies

The chapter’s policies regarding AI and meeting accessibility were passed by general membership on August 23rd, 2025. The “whereas” clauses from the resolutions establishing these policies can be found at the bottom of the page.

AI — 

Use of AI-generated artwork, images, video, text, speech, and/or music for any New Orleans DSA purpose is prohibited. This policy applies to all events and public-facing content, including social media, newsletters, voter guides, marketing materials, websites, and merchandise. 

“New Orleans DSA” includes all DSA Committees, Working Groups, Campaigns, and Local Council messaging. AI-assisted tools (such as auto-generated captions or background removal tools) that are used for the purpose of assisting with tedious and routine tasks are not prohibited; however, such tools shall not be used as a replacement for the creative work of an artist or designer to create new content.

ACCESSIBILITY —

New Orleans DSA requires that meetings which include Chapter business include a virtual attendance option. This includes General Meetings, Local Conventions, Local Council Meetings, and meetings for Committees and Working Groups where votes occur or decisions are made. 

A virtual attendance option is not required for social gatherings, canvassing, or fundraising events. That said, event organizers are strongly encouraged to consider the following factors when choosing a venue:

  • Child policy – Is it 21+ only? 
  • Physical accessibility – Is the entrance/exit and bathroom ADA accessible for those with mobility issues? Are there chairs readily available?
  • Sound level and other neurodivergence considerations – Does it typically have loud music or other sounds which could inhibit conversation? Is it often crowded and cramped, and is there somewhere someone may go if they become overstimulated?
  • Transmissibility – Is it outdoors or in a well-ventilated venue?
  • Weather – If it ends up raining or being very cold, how will that impact the event?
  • Food – Is there food available or can it be brought there?
  • Alcohol – Are there non-alcoholic drink options available?

Events not held in DSA’s office space should note if the venue is 21+ or not ADA accessible in their calendar descriptions and any advertising posts.

If circumstances outside of our control inhibit the use of hybrid technology in a Chapter business meeting, a Committee/Campaign Chair or other meeting representative must alert Local Council and provide their reasoning to all membership via Discord. Valid justification may include an inability to access our office or any other suitable venue which allows for hybrid capabilities (such as a library or another organization’s space). If any business poses a heightened security risk which justifies in-person-only discussion, a Committee/Campaign Chair or other meeting representative should discuss this with the Local Council.

RESOLUTION TO PROHIBIT CHAPTER USE OF AI-GENERATED CONTENT

I. Generative AI models are trained off of samples of work by real artists and writers without consent or compensation for their labor. By using generative AI in this way, DSA would be contributing to the continued exploitation of artists and writers.

II. Generative AI is very environmentally harmful, and uses a massive amount of energy. According to a study by the journal Nature, each data center likely equals the energy output of tens of thousands of homes. The electricity needed is typically produced by fossil fuel combustion, whose pollution leads to environmental destruction, significant health issues, and premature mortality. It is also extremely water-intensive, exacerbating droughts in already water-stressed area.

III. The burden of AI’s significant detrimental impacts on the environment is felt disproportionately by those in the global south, in several ways, including directly through unequal presence of polluting data centers, through the exploitation of labor for AI training and tech resource mining, and through the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the global south.

IV. Louisiana will soon also be facing the consequences of AI and its demand for energy, as Governor Jeff Landry has approved billions of dollars of tax breaks for Meta to build a $10 billion data center in North Louisiana, which will be the largest data center in the Western Hemisphere and is projected to cost the state tens of millions of dollars annually. Because it will require “roughly twice as much electricity as the city of New Orleans on a peak day,” Entergy is campaigning to spend $3 billion to build three gas-fueled power plants on site, which will further pollute our already devastated state and likely increase electricity costs across the state. 

Simultaneously, Hut 8 (a company which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers in the U.S. and Canada) is building a $2.5 billion data center in West Feliciana Parish, which will also benefit from Landry’s 20-year sales tax breaks as they apply to all data centers built before 2029.

V. A resolution barring the usage of AI artwork or video for any National DSA purposes was passed at the 2025 National Convention through the Consent Agenda due to its overwhelming support. This resolution included the following clauses: 

  1. “Be it further resolved, National DSA shall not promote or recommend the use of AI generated artwork for any purpose, and shall discourage its use among chapters;”
  2. “Be it finally resolved, DSA Chapters are encouraged to adopt resolutions prohibiting the use of AI-generated artwork.”

RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE MEETING ACCESSIBILITY

I. DSA is committed to building a mass movement of working people, which includes empowering individuals of all identities, especially those facing marginalization and oppression.

II. Our chapter has been identifying and trying to rectify barriers to involvement so that more community members can participate in this valuable work. 

III. Attending in-person meetings can be challenging for many groups, including: 

  • Disabled individuals
  • Parents and caretakers
  • Those without reliable transportation 
  • Those who live outside of New Orleans proper, which could include a great deal since our chapter boundaries include all areas within the 504 area code
  • Those with tight schedules and no time for transit
  • Those experiencing acute sickness or injury

IV. We successfully use hybrid set-ups allowing the participation of individuals both in-person and online for our General Meetings, Local Conventions, and meetings for several committees.

V. Part of our justification for leasing office space is to ensure we can effectively and consistently host meetings with hybrid accessibility. We also pay for a Google Workspace enabling unlimited Google Meet meetings, have access to National DSA’s Zoom line, and may conduct video calls using the official Chapter Discord.