As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries across the United States, county governments are recognizing the potential to enhance operations, improve public services, and increase efficiency.
On October 30, 2024, Madison County, New York held an AI workshop hosted by NACo to help county officials understand the transformative potential of AI and generative AI (GenAI) tools. . Combining educational presentations, hands-on exercises, and collaborative discussions, this workshop marked an important step in Madison County’s AI journey.
The meeting started with a unique icebreaker. Participants selected marbles representing their initial perspective on AI and dropped them into containers labeled “Excited and Optimistic,” “Curious but Cautious,” and “Don’t Know.” Although a few expressed hesitation, the majority were optimistic or curious, reflecting a growing interest in understanding and implementing AI technologies.
Following opening remarks from County Governor Mark Simone and Director of Technology Paul Luttwak, attendees introduced themselves and their departments, setting the stage for cross-sector collaboration.
The morning session provided a historical overview and overview of the AI landscape, with an emphasis on its relevance to local government. A practical demonstration showcased various GenAI tools that can automate document generation, create images, enable chatbot interactions, perform data analysis, and create video content. This interactive approach allowed participants to visualize how these tools could be applied to their specific work areas.
The following examples of AI implementation in county operations were introduced:
Automate administrative tasks: Reduce repetitive workloads with AI.
Enhance public safety: Use AI analytics for crime prevention and emergency response.
Improve citizen engagement: Leverage an AI-driven platform to communicate more effectively.
During lunch, attendees watched several video segments from a recent webinar that profiled county leaders who have successfully implemented AI solutions, providing relatable insight and inspiration.
The afternoon focused on collaborative exercises on data governance and use cases. In the data governance exercise, participants identified the type of data to track, where the data resides, and its ownership.
Data categories identified include administrative records, legal and compliance data, public health information, and infrastructure details. Attendees also identified sensitive data that requires a high degree of protection, such as personnel records, health information, and litigation documents.
In the second use case idea exercise, participants brainstormed AI applications tailored to their departments. Main ideas include:
Automate editing of FOIL requests
Creating communications for public relations, social media posts, and county articles.
Streamline traffic analysis and enforcement
Digitization of historical records
Strengthening road maintenance management through data analysis using AI
Improving budgeting and statistical analysis with predictive algorithms
These exercises encouraged creative thinking and highlighted the potential of AI to transform county operations.
Post-event evaluations yielded overwhelmingly positive feedback. More than 70% of attendees reported that the conference exceeded their expectations. Attendees particularly valued the balance between presentations and interactive sessions, and many expressed a newfound confidence in exploring AI solutions.
Key takeaways from the evaluation include:
46% of participants are much more confident in using AI tools.
More than 60% reported a significant improvement in their understanding of AI and GenAI.
Suggestions for improvements included providing separate tracks for beginners and advanced users, providing hands-on experience with computers, and increasing the visibility of presentations.
Despite the enthusiasm, some concerns remained. Attendees highlighted potential challenges such as ensuring data accuracy, addressing algorithmic bias, managing legal implications, and maintaining critical thinking skills in an AI-driven workplace. These issues highlight the importance of establishing robust frameworks, policies, and guidelines for data governance and ethical AI use.
Looking to the future
As Madison County continues its AI journey, this conference serves as a blueprint for other local governments. By fostering education, collaboration, and innovation, counties can unlock the potential of AI while responsibly addressing its challenges.
For those embarking on similar efforts, Madison County’s approach offers valuable lessons.
1. Involve diverse stakeholders: Involving representatives from different departments deepens the discussion and broadens perspectives.
2. Prioritize hands-on learning: Interactive exercises deepen understanding and promote practical application.
3. Proactively address concerns: Openly discussing potential pitfalls builds trust and supports informed decision-making.
As counties like Madison embrace AI, they are paving the way for smarter governance and better public services. The Madison County AI Conference is an example of how local governments can leverage technology to create meaningful change and ensure a future where innovation increases efficiency and improves lives.
