With generative AI becoming more and more available, Quinte West is considering an official policy on how municipal staff are allowed to use the technology.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, Quinte West Council reviewed a proposed framework for officially adopting AI technologies into municipal workflows.
Municipal staff presented a report to council outlining the risks of unregulated use of AI tools. Some hazards they pointed out included sensitive data being leaked, potential biases in AI systems, and a lack of transparency when AI is used as part of a decision process.
In order to ensure that any new AI technology is being used safely and responsibly, staff recommended adopting a framework established by the Eastern Ontario IT Collaborative. The framework was set up to address these concerns, providing basic policies on when and how AI can be used, and preventing AI tools from being used where they could cause harm.
The framework was approved by council without debate.
