Prince Edward County is preparing to adopt a policy on the use of AI by municipal staff.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, members of council received a staff report on a new policy, which puts in place rules for how the municipal staff are to use AI for official tasks.
Under the new policy, AI programs used by the municipality must comply with any applicable laws, comply with municipal data security requirements, and pass an evaluation for both risk in using it, and for bias in the AI’s work. This applies to AI tools developed internally, or those purchased from outside vendors.
Another requirement of the policy is for the municipality to proactively and transparently disclose when they are using AI, and have human contact options available for people.
The new policy also establishes an AI governance committee composed of several members of municipal staff representing different departments, which will review proposed AI projects, assess risks, ensure compliance, and maintain a registry of AI use.
Councillor John Hirsch supported the policy presented, and said that revisiting the policy as the technology develops will be important.
“I think there really is great opportunity. But given the risks, it’s clear that we need a strong policy,” said Councillor Hirsch. “The concept of a committee to keep looking at, I think is important too, because it’s going to be such a changing environment.”
Councillor Bill Roberts was also in favour of the policy, saying that it was important to put safeguards in place for AI usage as the technology matures.
“There’s a saying at MIT that technology doubles in capacity and halves in cost every six months,” said Councillor Roberts. “From what these blurbs over the last, especially the last year, seem to be indicating is that Chat-GPT, is soon to be the rotary dial phone of AI.”
During discussion on the policy, council voted to add up to two citizens to the committee as advisors as needed.
The motion passed as amended, and sent to the next meeting of council for final approval.