County Magazine Blog

When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), counties have questions.

That's why Robert Ruiz, the Texas Association of Counties' Associate Director of Risk Management Services, is working to demystify AI for them. His goal to help county officials better understand the technology so they can determine whether AI is right for their operations, and if so, how to implement it effectively and securely.

"We want to make sure that everybody has a good level playing field with which to operate," Ruiz says.

Artificial intelligence is a broad term that includes various computer systems capable of learning, adapting and reasoning. Among the different types of AI, one of the most discussed over the past couple of years is generative AI, with ChatGPT a prominent example.

While many counties are just now looking into AI, others have already successfully begun adopting it. For example, Presidio County uses AI in its 911 dispatch centers to provide real-time translation services that have allowed the county to significantly improve emergency response times.

It's important to note, however, that using AI in county government comes with challenges.

Ruiz stresses the importance of a thorough understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations. He also notes that there are critical areas that counties must address, such as data privacy and security. It is essential, he says, for county officials to ensure that sensitive information remains protected and that AI systems comply with legal standards.

Ultimately, Ruiz advises counties to take a cautious, pragmatic approach to AI adoption.

"Start small," he advises. "If you're going to use AI, test it with a small group of stakeholders. Test it internally with your employees before ... (it's) open to the public."

Ruiz dives deeper into demystifying AI for counties on a recent episode of TAC's podcast, Texas County Voice. Listen to the episode and others at www.county.org/TexasCountyVoice or wherever you listen to podcasts.