Artificial Intelligence Handbook for Local Government
As the closest form of government to the people, local authorities have the unique opportunity to address real issues that matter on the ground. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools that can improve government efficiency, expand government offerings, enhance community well-being, streamline public services, and make data-informed decisions to improve the quality of life for small and large municipalities. At the same time, local governments often lack the resources and guidance necessary to harness new technologies such as AI safely and effectively. STPP together with the Michigan Municipal League has published a handbook that fills that gap by providing concrete guidelines, best practices, sample applications, and risk assessment strategies that can help kickstart safe and effective AI adoption in local government.
Primary Goals of the Handbook
- Learn about AI: demystify AI and provide a clear understanding of its functionality, limitations, and recent advancements that is accessible to all readers regardless of their technical expertise.
- Explore AI Applications for Local Governments: examine and analyze AI applications that may benefit local governments. This includes encouraging responsible experimentation with generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, by providing a step-by-step guide tailored to local officials to understand its impact and limitations
- Provide AI Guidelines for Local Government: provide recommendations for the safe usage of these tools. This includes a chapter dedicated to best practices for using generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as well as a checklist for assessing AI tools for local government that local officials can use when deciding to use an AI tool for the first time.
Partner: Michigan Municipal League
Author Trevor Odelberg weighs in on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the KUT News article, "Austin will use AI to evaluate residential construction plans".
STPP presented this handbook at the Michigan Municipal League's 2024 Convention on Mackinac Island September 12, 2024.
