San Diego County is taking a big step forward in handling the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our everyday lives. The county supervisors have kicked off the creation of a comprehensive policy framework to guide how AI technologies are used. This initiative got the thumbs-up at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, where officials were asked to review current policies and suggest updates.
The aim here is to set clear rules for how AI is deployed across county operations. Supervisor Joel Anderson, who has led the subcommittee for the past six months, highlighted AI’s strategic role in improving service delivery while keeping equity, privacy, and public trust in mind. He pushed for a governance framework, AI incident-response plans, vendor accountability, and more workforce education to ensure AI is adopted responsibly and in line with strategic goals.
The board’s decision was backed by all present members, although Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent. Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer emphasized the importance of aligning this framework with the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, introduced by the Biden administration in October 2022. She insisted on revisiting the framework for further evaluation before anything is set in stone.
“AI has immense potential,” Lawson-Remer noted, “but these powerful tools also come with risks, like potential biases that could lead to civil rights violations.” Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe added that it’s crucial to include concerns from people with disabilities to ensure everyone is protected.
With AI evolving rapidly through platforms like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, various sectors are transforming. Experts have warned about the potential dangers without proper regulation, which highlights the urgent need for a thoughtful policy.
David Lagstein from the Service Employees International Union Local 221, representing many county employees, cautioned against rushing into any framework. “We need a policy that will do no harm, developed thoughtfully,” he said.
The analysis will be ready in time for the renewal of the county’s $1 billion IT contract. Anderson emphasized the importance of using better technology to enhance government participation and service delivery.
“We’re investing in our future for the next decade,” Anderson asserted, underlining the importance of getting the framework right.
