For local governments, the road to adopting policies around artificial intelligence presents a major learning curve. In a new survey from the Public Technology Institute (PTI), security and privacy concerns are the top considerations for government IT teams as they develop AI governance frameworks.
But while the survey reveals that 53% of local government IT leaders are creating AI governance policies, many still feel unprepared for the technology’s impact.
The survey of city and county IT executives, conducted in July-August 2024, provides a snapshot of how local governments are approaching artificial intelligence. While nearly half (46%) of respondents feel somewhat prepared to make productive and safe use of AI tools, 38% indicated they are not prepared at all and are still trying to determine where to begin.
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Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how governments operate and serve citizens, putting local agencies at a critical juncture. The technology has broad implications on everything from internal data management to helping people navigate benefits and programs, but without proper governance and expertise it also presents significant risks. The survey results highlight this tension between AI’s transformative potential and local governments’ readiness — and at times hesitance — to harness AI.
Among the most significant findings is a shift in how local government IT leaders view AI’s potential impact. The percentage expecting dramatic changes from AI decreased from 58% in 2023 to 53% in 2024, while those expecting little change increased from 42% to 47%.
The survey also revealed that only 11% of organizations have assigned a single individual to coordinate AI development, while 63% have not designated anyone.
In 26% of cases, the responsibility is shared among multiple individuals, with several respondents noting that this falls under the IT executive’s purview.
Looking at specific AI applications, local governments are most actively considering:
Virtual customer service co-pilots and chatbots (70% of respondents)
Automated document generation (48%)
Enhanced data management (48%)
Workforce training and learning tools (42%)
Query assistance systems (42%)
The confidence levels in current workforce preparedness for AI remain mixed. Only 4% of local government IT executives feel highly confident their workforce has the expertise needed for AI implementation, while 22% are slightly confident. A third of respondents (33%) remain neutral on the question, and 34% expressed lower confidence levels.
To address these challenges, local governments are taking various steps beyond policy development. Twenty-nine percent are collaborating with AI industry experts and researchers, while 27% are investing in AI training and education programs. However, only 7% are currently assessing potential job displacement and developing recruiting strategies.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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