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

Latest from the Committee

AI Summit

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.

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County News

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.

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County News

NACo forms AI exploratory committee

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. 

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White House releases AI Action Plan: What it means for counties

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Upcoming Events

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Webinar

Transforming County Payouts with Real-Time Innovation

Thursday, September 4, 2025 |  2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time 

Discover the technological evolution of county disbursements and how digital finance transformation can mitigate risks and enhance operational efficiency. As counties strive to modernize their legacy systems and reduce costs, staying ahead of technology trends is crucial. This session will explore how counties can leverage the latest advancements in real-time disbursements to revolutionize their payout processes. Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends and practical use cases that showcase the journey from outdated payout processes to advanced technology disbursements. 

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Seamless Implementation, Frictionless Experiences: Best Practices for Transitioning to a Countywide Payment Solution

Government payment ecosystems are complex, often spanning multiple departments, legacy technology, and evolving compliance and reporting regulations. While transitioning to a new system can present challenges, clear objectives and success metrics, as well as a well-structured testing and implementation plan ultimately leads to better outcomes for residents and staff. 

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Webinar

Unity in Uncertainty: Partnership-Powered Resilience

In today’s rapidly changing operating environment, local government leaders face unprecedented challenges. This training equips local government leaders with collaborative strategies and partnership frameworks to navigate uncertainty and complexity, emerging stronger and more resilient. Comprehensive partnerships and diverse perspectives can solidify and fortify operations during uncertain times. 

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Conference

NACo AI Central Regional Forum

Hennepin County, Minnesota​

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.

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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. 

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Rise of the Machine: Risk and Governance in the Age of Algorithms

As artificial intelligence transforms every sector, local government officials face challenges and opportunities. This essential training provides a foundation for navigating AI’s impact on election infrastructure and other critical government services, focusing on potential risks, safeguards, and practical strategies to mitigate these risks. Working together, local officials and their partners possess the means to reduce risk and secure their systems against threats. 

Stay Connected

Keep up-to-date on the committee's work. Sign up to receive the latest updates and opportunities to get involved.

Committee Contact

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Rita Reynolds

Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, County Tech Xchange
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Seamus Dowdall

Legislative Director, Telecommunications & Technology