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.
The Cybersecurity Health Check List: Ensure Your Cybersecurity Program is Healthy and Resilient
Many organizations neglect their cybersecurity "health," leaving them vulnerable to sudden, catastrophic cyberattacks. By following a simple cybersecurity health checklist, you can ensure your organization's cybersecurity program is healthy and resilient.
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.
Modern Networks, Smarter Budgets: A County Leader’s Perspective
Join us for a fireside chat with Orleans County, NY, as they share how their team successfully transitioned from a traditional capital expense (CapEx) model to an operational expense (OpEx) model for network services.
When faced with rising maintenance costs and an expiring carrier contract, the county seized the opportunity to modernize its network and lock in predictable monthly costs. By bundling connectivity services with unified communications, they achieved immediate savings of over $124,000, eliminated recurring charges such as long-distance fees and third-party integration costs, and gained access to operational upgrades like call analytics and auto-attendants.
This shift not only strengthened financial planning through fixed monthly expenses but also freed up IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
Key takeaway: Rethinking your budget model can be just as impactful as upgrading your technology — delivering fiscal stability and enhanced services for your community.
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.
NACo AI West 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.
Driving GenAI in County Government: A Collaborative, Outcomes-Focused Approach
Artificial intelligence—especially generative AI—is no longer a “future trend” for county governments. It’s here, and its impact depends on how it’s implemented. Successful projects don’t start and end with the IT department; they require strong collaboration across communications, customer service, and business units to ensure technology delivers real outcomes for residents.
Hear from Wyandotte County, KS, where a community speaking 31 languages and handling 50,000 calls a year with just three staff members needed a smarter way to serve residents. Learn how the county partnered across departments to design and deploy conversational digital agents that address real service challenges—while safeguarding data, maintaining public trust, and ensuring equitable access.
Modernizing County Infrastructure: Empowering Smart, Secure, and Resilient Communities
Learn how future‑ready infrastructure can position your county to lead in smart government initiatives and prepare for emerging capabilities like AI, digital twins, and next‑generation applications.
Stay Connected
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Committee Contact
Rita Reynolds
