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Committee forwards Department of Technology MOU with Innovate US for AI training; data sharing limited to aggregated anonymous metrics
Summary
The committee voted to forward a memorandum of understanding allowing the Department of Technology to accept no-cost AI training from Innovate US in exchange for anonymized, aggregated feedback and training completion metrics. The MOU includes indemnity language and affirms Sunshine and public records obligations.
The government audit and oversight committee on March 20 voted to forward a memorandum of understanding (MOU) authorizing the Department of Technology (DT) to accept no-cost artificial intelligence training from Innovate US and to provide anonymized, aggregated feedback and usage data under conditions meant to protect city interests.
Jeremy Pollock, legislative and technology analyst at DT, told the committee the training fills a gap in the city's learning catalog; DT had no AI trainings catalogued and interest among employees has been high. Pollock said a prior ChatGPT pilot involved more than 2,000 city employees and that Innovate US offers three course modules — an AI 101 for individual users, a leadership-focused module for program leads and a fast field-scanning module for identifying best practices from other jurisdictions. Pollock described the courses as roughly two hours each, technology-agnostic, and tailored to public-sector examples.
Pollock said the MOU preserves city protections: Innovate US must indemnify the city, no city data will be shared except aggregated completion numbers and anonymous voluntary survey feedback, and the MOU confirms applicability of the Sunshine Ordinance and the California Public Records Act. "This MOU gives the Board of Supervisors the opportunity to weigh in on this arrangement," Pollock said.
Supervisor Sherrill asked what "aggregated training completion data" meant; Pollock said the city would provide counts of completed modules on a monthly basis and that no personally identifiable information or employee names or emails would be shared with Innovate US. He said the training's risk modules address privacy, bias and hallucinations but that energy-use or environmental impacts are only briefly mentioned.
Committee members asked how Innovate US benefits; Pollock said Innovate US gains reputational credit for public-sector training and may use anonymous feedback and completion numbers in public materials. The committee had no public commenters on the item.
Supervisor Cheryl moved to forward the MOU to the full board with a positive recommendation. The committee voted and recorded three ayes; the motion passed. The MOU is for a two-year term and, as presented, was described as no-cost to the city.
