Arapahoe County IT staff ask commissioners to advance updated acceptable-use policy covering AI and low-code tools

IT staff on Wednesday asked the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners to review and advance an updated acceptable-use policy that adds language on software-as-a-service platforms, low-code/no-code tools and artificial intelligence.

Nikki Rosecrans, senior manager for compliance and security in Information Technology, said the policy was developed to reflect more modern county use of web services and to ensure security, accessibility and AI evaluations of procured software. "We've included the low code, no code as Bill Sabino had said, AI, which is the artificial intelligence capabilities," Rosecrans said, adding that the policy includes a glossary and acronyms to help employees understand the terms.

The update replaces a policy last revised in 2021 and clarifies that software and technology acquisitions should be reviewed for security, compliance and accessibility before county use. Rosecrans said the changes are intended to be informative rather than punitive and to ensure staff know whether a platform has undergone necessary review.

County attorneys and IT staff asked the board to review the draft and move it forward for formal adoption at a later session. Commissioners responded positively to the request; the chair reported five thumbs-up in favor of advancing the item to the consent agenda for a future resolution vote.

The Board did not adopt the policy during the drop-in; staff said they will bring the draft back with necessary documentation and recommended language for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.