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Clay County staff present draft AI policy; commission to consider formal adoption next week
Summary
IT Director Kevin Shaw presented a draft county AI policy that would set data-protection rules, require employee training and create a cross-department AI review committee; commissioners sought clarification on permitted employee uses and a county-managed platform.
County IT staff briefed the Clay County Commission on a draft artificial intelligence policy and said they will return with a formal RCA and proposed adoption next week.
Kevin Shaw, the county IT director, summarized the policy goals: define scope and allowed uses, protect sensitive county data, require employee training, and stand up a cross-department review committee. Shaw said staff drew on policies adopted by other jurisdictions, including Seattle, San Jose and Johnson County, and described six guiding principles integrated into the draft.
Why it matters: County employees increasingly use AI tools in office workflows; the draft policy aims to balance productivity gains against data-privacy and information-security risks. Shaw said the policy is meant to be adaptive as technology evolves.
Key exchanges: Commissioners asked several clarifying questions. Commissioner Carpenter and others sought details about a referenced "county-managed AI platform" and a line that would prohibit county-work usage of external AI tools prior to adopting that managed platform. Shaw and administration staff said the intent is to prevent uncontrolled use of third-party tools that could expose nonpublic data and to provide approved platforms and training. The draft also limits employee use of personal AI accounts for county work unless an approved, secure platform exists.
Next steps: Staff will place a formal RCA and the draft policy on the agenda for a vote next week. The IT team also recommended mandatory training for employees before broad internal adoption of any county-managed AI tools.
Representative quote: "This policy is not telling employees how to use AI; it's telling them how to use AI," Shaw said during his presentation, emphasizing information-security objectives.
