Louisburg adopts AI acceptable‑use policy for town employees

James Harris, Louisburg's director of information technology, presented a two- to three‑page AI acceptable‑use policy to guide municipal staff on acceptable and prohibited uses of artificial intelligence tools. Harris told the council the policy addresses data security, confidentiality, review of AI outputs and enforcement procedures, and that the town lacked a formal policy prior to this proposal.

"The proposed AI acceptable use policy defines acceptable and prohibited use of AI tools, employee responsibilities, safeguards for sensitive information, best practices for reviewing AI generated content, and reporting enforcement procedures," Harris said, summarizing the document submitted for council review.

Staff recommended adoption. A councilmember moved to adopt the policy and the motion was seconded. When the mayor called for a vote the chair announced “Aye.” When asked if any council members opposed, one councilmember answered, "I do," but the mayor declared the motion adopted. The transcript records the motion and the question-and-answer on the vote but does not provide a roll-call tally in the excerpt.

The policy will establish standards for employees’ use of AI tools — including prohibiting entry of personally identifiable information into external AI systems — and requires employees to review AI‑generated content and follow cybersecurity safeguards. IT staff said the policy was developed using guidance from regional local government associations and FEMA conferences.

Next steps: the adopted policy will be implemented across town departments, with IT responsible for training and monitoring compliance.