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Jefferson County adopts AI policy after discussion on stewardship, review and employee input
Summary
The county board adopted an artificial intelligence policy proposed by Human Resources after debate over safeguards, employee input, review cadence and definitions. Administration noted the policy was drafted with academic consultation and reviewed — but not written — with AI tools.
The Jefferson County Board adopted an artificial intelligence policy on July 14 after a policy presentation, committee recommendation and extended floor discussion about safeguards and governance.
Supervisor Brogler (speaker 5) presented Resolution 202620, describing the policy as a framework to “harness AI for innovation while safeguarding confidentiality, privacy, data integrity and transparency.” The policy was developed with employee stakeholder input and with pro‑bono assistance from a consultant, Robert Orozco of UW‑Whitewater, the administration said.
Several supervisors raised concerns during discussion. One urged stricter stewardship language and limits on nonessential AI use (speaker 16). Another asked for a defined process for employees to request new AI tools and a centralized list of authorized tools (speaker 17). Other questions focused on whether social media uses of AI should be covered and how county policy would interact with employees’ other employers' policies (speaker 10).
Supervisor Gulag proposed an amendment to set a fixed review interval; corporation counsel Danielle Thompson noted the policy’s section 14 already states quarterly review. Administration said AI was not used to write the policy but was used to review it.
Supervisor Lund and others warned against overreliance on AI: “If humans stop doing analytical work and depend on AI, they’re gonna stop learning how to do it,” Lund said. Supervisor Good (speaker 18) described broader ethical concerns and asked whether the consultant himself used AI in drafting the policy; administration answered the consultant provided services at no cost and AI was used only as a review tool.
After discussion and an offered amendment addressing review timing, the board adopted the policy by voice vote.
The policy creates countywide guidelines for employees, contractors and volunteers and sets review and oversight expectations; committees will return with any implementation procedures needed to operationalize tool authorization and procurement.
