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Sunny Isles Beach commission asks manager and city attorney to draft AI disclosure policy focused on transparency, not prohibition
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to draft a policy and potential Chapter 74 code amendment requiring disclosure of AI use by staff, elected officials, vendors, and presenters in materials submitted to the commission; the city attorney emphasized disclosure — not a ban — and cited recent Florida judicial rules requiring AI disclosure in court filings.
At a workshop, the commission discussed a recommended policy to require disclosure when city staff, elected officials, vendors, or outside presenters use artificial intelligence to generate material provided for commission consideration, particularly in quasi‑judicial proceedings. The item’s sponsor framed the proposal as both an accuracy and transparency measure and asked the city manager and city attorney to draft proposed policies and an amendment to Chapter 74.
The city attorney described the intent as disclosure rather than prohibition. "Disclosure is important because you just need to be aware of what's before you," the city attorney said, noting recent changes in the judiciary: "In May of 2026, the Florida Supreme Court issued modifications… regarding AI disclosure requirements" and other jurisdictions have adopted administrative disclosure policies.
Commissioners raised repeated practical questions: how to define AI, whether routine use (for example, grammar tools or research summaries) should require disclosure, and what penalties — if any — are appropriate for noncompliance. Several commissioners urged a narrow, enforceable approach focused on work products that a commission would potentially vote on, not routine internal emails or private searches. One commissioner noted that staff currently have no disclosure requirement and suggested staff-level policies be consistent across departments.
Speakers gave examples of risks: fabricated case citations in legal briefs produced by generative AI (a cautionary tale recounted during the discussion) and summary inaccuracies when AI is used to condense legal or technical documents. Commissioners emphasized both awareness for decision-making and not discouraging helpful, efficiency-enhancing tools for staff.
By the discussion’s close, commissioners expressed support for staff and the city attorney to prepare model policies and procedures, including a clear definition of AI and guidance on when disclosure is required, and to return with recommended language. No formal ordinance was introduced at the workshop.
