San Diego County is advancing efforts to establish a formal policy governing artificial intelligence (AI) use within its operations. Recognizing AI’s significant impact on daily life, county supervisors initiated a study to determine how staff will utilize or avoid the technology. The directive from the Board of Supervisors tasks top officials with identifying necessary policy changes as AI becomes more integral to daily activities.
The first step is adopting guidelines recommended by a subcommittee led by Supervisor Joel Anderson over the past six months. These guidelines will set the foundation for a comprehensive framework regulating AI applications across all county operations, addressing deployment methods and measures to protect personal data, services, and labor agreements.
Supervisor Anderson stressed the importance of strategically using AI to enhance service delivery while safeguarding equity, privacy, and public trust. Key components proposed include a governance framework, an AI incident-response plan, vendor accountability, and workforce education. These measures aim to ensure responsible AI adoption in line with the county’s strategic priorities.
A unanimous 3-0 vote advanced the framework, with Supervisor Jim Desmond absent. Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer proposed additional criteria based on the 2022 Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. She emphasized AI’s promise and risks, including biased outputs and civil rights issues.
Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe raised concerns about inclusivity, particularly for people with disabilities, stressing the need for innovations benefiting all communities. Public commentary highlighted AI’s dual nature, blending promise and peril for both the workforce and service provision.
The analysis is to be completed promptly so supervisors can evaluate new inclusion criteria for the upcoming $1 billion IT contract renewal. Anderson underscored the importance of integrating advanced technology to enhance public participation in governance, viewing the contract as crucial for shaping the county’s technological future.
Conclusively, San Diego County is set to establish a detailed AI policy framework to balance adoption and ethical considerations. This initiative aims to leverage AI for improved services while prioritizing public trust and privacy, reflecting a commitment to thoughtful, responsible technological integration.
