NORWICH – Chenango County employees now have official ground rules for using artificial intelligence on the job, following the Board of Supervisors' adoption of a new AI usage policy for government documents and communications.

The four-page policy lays out limitations on county employees’ use of artificial intelligence and extends to authorized contractors, vendors, volunteers, interns, and outside agencies allowed access to county resources.

Under the new guidelines, county employees are barred from using AI for illegal or unethical purposes. They’re also prohibited entering personal, confidential, or private information into AI systems. Moreover, they must now reveal when communications are partly or wholly AI-generated, obtain approval from county IT services before using new AI software, and regularly review AI-generated content for accuracy.

While the policy doesn’t discourage AI use in government business, it emphasizes “safe and ethical use” in the daily operations of every government department. It further states that responsible AI use can “drive innovation, increase operational efficiencies, and better serve the citizens of Chenango County while protecting privacy, managing risk, and promoting accountability, safety, and equity.”

Although county board members agree on the need for a uniform AI policy, some are wary about the direction of artificial intelligence in government matters. Chris Acly, IT director for Chenango County, said employee training is key.

“My vision of training first of all is how to use the tool,” Acly told the Board of Supervisors at its regular June meeting. “Then making sure that anybody in the county who uses an AI tool understands things like bias, ethics, and a general idea of how to use the tool in a way that is responsible and reflects the needs of our constituents and of the county in general.”

“We don’t want someone to go in and use AI and throw in personal information and have that go out to wherever,” Acly added. “And when you use it, you have to let people know that the results were generated by AI and that you’re using it in a way that doesn’t cause anybody to be discriminated against.”

“You talk about AI not replacing any jobs, and I agree that it shouldn’t; but it can drastically change jobs,” said Preston Supervisor Steven Palmatier. “Duties will change. Responsibilities will change. AI makes it more efficient. I think we should review this with these things in mind.”