Local governments are working hard to keep up with the fast pace of artificial intelligence. To help with this challenge, the Van Buren County Digital Information Department started the Michigan Local Government AI User Group. This group brings municipal leaders…
How Van Buren and St. Joseph Counties are building a sovereign AI architecture for local government. How Van Buren and St. Joseph Counties are building a sovereign AI architecture for local government. This document describes where we are headed. It…
When Van Buren County was established in 1829, it was named for then Vice President Martin Van Buren. Nearly two centuries later, that name lives on, on our maps, our signs, and now, in a new way, in Marty, the county’s…
Across Michigan, a quiet shift is underway. County clerks are testing chatbots. Assessors are exploring automation. Planners are wondering if artificial intelligence can finally make sense of zoning codes written before color TV. The Digital Innovation Collaborative Exchange (DICE), in…
A National Call to Action The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) recently released a major report—Bringing AI to Main Street: Maximizing Artificial Intelligence’s Positive Impact on Municipal Economies—that shifts the national conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) from Silicon Valley…
Van Buren County, Michigan (pop. 75,000) Discussions about AI in government often drift into the abstract, like a strategic plan that mentions “leveraging synergies” without ever explaining who’s doing the leveraging, or what exactly is being synergized. Phrases like “AI…
“AI will free up staff to focus on strategic work.” We’ve all heard it. Maybe we’ve even said it ourselves, nodding along in meetings while wondering what this magical “strategic work” really means. It sounds perfect in theory. But then…
Ensuring Effective, Ethical, and Responsible Use of AI in Local Government Goal: These guidelines help us use AI effectively and ethically. They provide a framework for leveraging AI’s power while mitigating risks. 1. Verification Rule: “Always cross-check AI-generated summaries or…
I. Introduction: The AI Promise and the Practical Reality for Local Government Artificial intelligence holds immense promise for local governments. As Director of the Digital Information Department for two counties in Michigan, I’ve seen firsthand how AI can streamline operations,…
