On the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is easy to get caught up in dystopian tales that fill the big screen. There are, of course, valid reasons for heightened vigilance, concern, and a skeptical eye towards what is quickly becoming a ubiquitous and transformative technology. It seems that AI is everywhere – in our personal lives, in our workplaces, and in city government.
In the midst of the hyped frenzy, one of the things I find so refreshing is the public sector’s current approach to AI. Instead of big promises about how technology will change the world, local governments are getting down to basics and explaining, in plain language, what the technology is, what it is not, and how city leaders can consider if and how they would like to integrate AI into their communities.
In the place of slick marketing materials, the public sector’s artifacts about AI include policy guides, use case libraries, tutorials, and recommendations about how to educate city employees on how to approach and engage. These tools are designed to be helpful and informative, not convincing or even intriguing. The public sector approach feels almost mundane (and I mean that as a compliment.)
Government’s straightforward approach is being influenced by the incredible efforts of the GovAI Coalition. This group is setting the tone while also providing a foundation with a spirit of transparency, utility, and openness that can only emanate from government. Anyone can become a member of GovAI including individuals and organizations (government, academia, industry). There are a series of regular meetings based on areas of interest and a helpful list of resources tailored to the expressed needs of the public sector. (This list is below.) And if that wasn’t enough, there is a YouTube Channel. Check out the AI Coalition’s Step by Step Guide on AI Governance YouTube video here.
A huge debt of gratitude is owed to the many government staff members – especially the City of San Jose, CA who leads and hosts this effort – who contribute many hours, their patience, their foresight, and a commitment to seeing the public sector navigate uncharted, unregulated waters and creating the materials and mechanisms necessary to educate us all.
Please review and enjoy the resources from the AI Coalition:
- AI Policy: AI Policy PDF or AI Policy DOCX.
- AI Policy Manual: AI Policy Manual PDF or AI Policy Manual DOCX.
- AI Incident Response Plan: AI Incident Response Plan PDF or AI Incident Response Plan DOCX.
- AI FactSheet: AI FactSheet PDF or AI FactSheet DOCX.
- Vendor Agreement: Vendor Agreement PDF or Vendor Agreement DOCX.
- Use Case Template: Use Case Template PDF, Use Case Template DOCX, Use Case Template PDF with notes, or Use Case Template DOCX with notes.
- Vendor Registry [link for vendors to register and submit their AI FactSheets]
About the AI Coalition (Source: AI Coalition website)
In November 2023, the GovAI Coalition was established to give local government a voice in shaping the future of AI and ensure that AI development is geared toward the benefit of society.
The GovAI Coalition is composed of over 600 public servants from over 250 local, county, and state governments that represent over 150 million Americans across the nation united in our mission to promote responsible and purposeful AI in the public sector.
The GovAI Coalition is committed to:
- Using AI for social good,
- Ensuring ethical, non-discriminatory, and responsible AI governance,
- Promoting vendor accountability,
- Improving government services, and
- Fostering cross-agency collaboration and knowledge sharing.
More information about the mission and work of the GovAI Coalition can be found in the Coalition’s Open Letter.