Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee
NACo's AI Exploratory Committee covers emerging policies, practices and potential applications and consequences of Artificial Intelligence (AI), through the lens of county government governance, operations, constituent services, innovation, public trust, privacy, and security, and workforce productivity.
AI systems have catapulted the use of advanced computer technologies within society at unprecedented scale. People across the world are recognizing the potential that AI will bring to the economy and public sector, and America’s counties need to be prepared to address this innovation with the realization that AI technology is here to stay.
About the Committee
2022-2023 NACo President Denise Winfrey appointed 16 county leaders from across America, representing the broad spectrum of county demographics and functions.
Judge Andy Brown, Travis County, Texas
Commissioner Gregg Weiss, Palm Beach County, Fla.
Supervisor Keith Carson, Alameda County, Calif.
Commissioner Tarryl Clark, Stearns County, Minn.
Commissioner Chad Peterson, Cass County, N.D.
Commissioner Christopher Rodgers, Douglas County, Neb.
Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford, Berrien County, Mich.
Commissioner Shinica Thomas, Wake County, N.C.
Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch, Weber County, Utah
Bryan Hill, County Administrator, Fairfax County, Va.
Scott Sorrel, County Administrator, Peoria County, Ill.
Scott Teruya, Director of Finance, Maui County, Hawaii
Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer, Cook County, Ill.
Shannon Smith, Chief of Staff, Dept. of IT, King County, Wash.
Stephen Acquario, Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties
Peter Crary, Senior Manager of Technology, Texas Association of Counties
NACo AI Compass and Resource Hub
The NACo AI Compass and Resource Hub provides county governments with essential tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Developed by NACo's AI Exploratory Committee, this toolkit covers key themes such as responsible applications, policy models, ethical frameworks, and workforce preparation, helping counties leverage GenAI for improved operations and services.
The Transformative Power of Artificial Intelligence: A Summit Hosted by the NACo AI Exploratory Committee
The NACo Artificial Intelligence summit convened Administration officials, federal agency leaders, and experts to explore generative artificial intelligence's impact.
Counties build AI framework to harness its potential, bolster protection
More than a dozen people involved in county administration and governance are working to figure out the future opportunities for counties and artificial intelligence.
The Potential Impacts of AI on Counties
The AI Exploratory Committee will operate under a scope that seeks to determine:
- Assess the current state of AI technology
- Identify potential applications of AI and the related benefits and risks for county govt. operations
- Evaluate the risks and benefits of AI related to workforce productivity, displacement and skills
- Explore the county governance landscape with ethics, public trust, privacy and security impacts
- Develop a preliminary policy and practice toolkit with sample guidelines and standards for AI
- Identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership with different county stakeholders
- Advise on public policy issues that may need to be considered by NACo’s board and policy committees
- Facilitate education and engagement opportunities for county officials, NACo networks and partners
The AI Exploratory Committee is dedicated to exploring these and many more benefits as AI is integrated into governmental services. The adherence to thoughtful risk management and diligent privacy practices will be of upmost importance as counties adapt to AI systems.
The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland
With county government policymakers and practitioners now facing the realities of generative artificial intelligence (AI), this book was developed with three main objectives:
- Showcase the remarkable capabilities and intricate nature of contemporary AI technologies
- Stimulate collaborative policy discussions among intergovernmental partners regarding the near limitless applications within the public sector, taking into account the possible inherent biases in AI systems, and
- Inspire the young people of America to explore the exciting and meaningful roles and responsibilities of county government officials.
Featured Resource
County Tech Xchange
The NACo County Tech Xchange is an online portal designed to connect county CIOs, IT Directors, CISOs, and other county IT leadership. This portal provides valuable resources in a central location that counties can use to improve their overall technology infrastructure.
DOL announces AI workforce development program as part of White House AI Action Plan
The U.S. Department of Labor encouraged state and local governments to use WIOA funds to develop AI workforce development programs.
FCC opens comment period on modernizing the nation's alerting systems
On August 11, the FCC issued a request for public comment on the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, to determine if alternative regulatory approaches would better maximize the usefulness, effectiveness and resiliency of the public safety systems.
NACo sends letter to Capitol Hill urging restoration of MS-ISAC funding
NACo sent a letter to congressional appropriations leadership urging federal funding for the Multi State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)
DHS announces new round of funding for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new round of funding for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
White House releases AI Action Plan: What it means for counties
The White House releases America’s AI Action Plan, a national framework to guide artificial intelligence infrastructure initiatives and federal policymaking across a range of priority areas.
Congress considers moratorium on state and local AI lawmaking: What it means for counties
The U.S. Senate’s reconciliation bill text includes a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI policymaking.
NACo AI Central Regional Forum
The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.
Securing Coverage: How Counties Can Navigate Cyber Insurance Hurdles
Safeguarding counties from cyber attacks in today's complex digital environment is a formidable challenge, especially when faced with tight budgets, limited resources, and the competing demands of diverse stakeholders. Cyber insurance offers a crucial safety net, but many counties find themselves grappling with the affordability and management of such coverage.
Join us for an exciting discussion with experienced county leaders as we uncover the hurdles governments face in securing cyber insurance. We will explore the evolving cyber threat landscape and reveal how a comprehensive cyber insurance assessment can offer practical solutions to bolster defenses and streamline coverage acquisition.
Rise of the Machine: Risk and Governance in the Age of Algorithms
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms every sector, local election officials face unique challenges and opportunities. This training is designed for those on the front lines of election administration. It provides a foundation for understanding AI’s potential impact on election infrastructure and related local government services, with a focus on risks, safeguards, and practical steps you can take to protect and strengthen your work.
Putting Communities First: How Counties Leverage Tech to Improve Behavioral Health
In this webinar, we’ll explore how counties can harness behavioral health empower providers and community stakeholders to help streamline care collaboration and improve outcomes for the communities they serve.
GoFundMe’s Crisis Response Playbook: Trusted Solutions for Counties
This webinar will showcase how GoFundMe serves as a trusted partner for counties and communities in times of crisis.
Checks, Balances, and Firewalls: Navigating Governance
This session explores the intersection where securing election operations meets digital realities. In an interconnected world, where officials face increased cyber threats and scrutiny, governance forms the backbone of order. This training unravels the fundamentals of governance to strengthen democracy in the digital age, with a particular focus on supply chain and data management.
Stay Connected
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Committee Contact
Rita Reynolds
