Embracing GenAI Governance: Navigating Collaboration Among Local Governments

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Thuong (Annie) Bui
August 2, 2024

Despite ranking first in the Government AI Readiness Index (Oxford Insights, 2023), local governments in the United States face a lack of clarity concerning the guidelines, policies and strategic fit necessary for adopting GenAI effectively. Unlike traditional AI, the rapid evolution of GenAI introduces complex debates around change management and considerable risks, including ethical, technological, economic and governance concerns. Local governments, therefore, must balance innovation with robust governance and regulation, necessitating a flexible approach. Collaboration among government agencies is essential to ensure responsible and effective GenAI implementation.

Collaboration For The Better GenAI Governance

While cities like Boston, San Jose, Seattle are at the forefront of GenAI policy development, a standard approach to GenAI governance is still unclear at the local levels. To address this need, several organizations have stepped up to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration:

1. Professional Associations: International City/County Management Association (ICMA), American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC), Public Technology Institute (PTI) have hosted numerous discussions about the GenAI governance in their annual and regional conferences throughout 2023 and 2024. Attending these conferences is crucial for networking, learning from the successes/challenges faced by peers and exchange ideas on the practical aspects of GenAI.
2. MetroLab Network: Since 2023, this non-profit organization has also initiated the “GenAI for Local Governments Task Force” to foster the creation of comprehensive policy guides and resource libraries. They have developed a Model Data Governance Policy and Practice Guide as a critical resource for local government leaders. This collaborative effort involves participants from various US cities, counties, non-profits, universities, and metropolitan planning organizations.
3. The GovAI Coalition: Led by the City of San Jose (California), GovAI Coalition has more than 700 members representing over 300 government agencies nationwide. This dynamic group is a model of effective collaboration within the public sector. They engage in monthly meetings, establish various working groups to develop standard AI policies (including GenAI guidelines), share best practices, address challenges and exchange lessons learned. In a highly proactive and organized manner, this coalition provides a safe environment for public leaders to advocate for ethical and transparent AI implementation. If your organization is new to GenAI and wondering where to start, visit their step-by-step guide for implementing an AI governance system in your agency.

The Roadmap Ahead

As local governments navigate the GenAI landscape, three key areas require ongoing attention:

1. Clear Strategy: Start by recognizing that GenAI is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is not a universal solution. Its value depends on how it is applied, much like calculations or spreadsheets. You can consider assessing the ongoing challenges faced by your city and identify areas where GenAI can make a meaningful impact. For instance, GenAI can possibly enhance constituent services with more efficient chatbots or streamline administrative tasks such as document drafting, and more. In addition, we need to build trust by being transparent about GenAI use. Announce implementations through channels your constituents frequently use, such as social media or local news outlets.
2. Data Governance: The principle of “garbage in, garbage out” applies strongly to GenAI, which require clean, up to date and diverse data to generate quality outputs. Collaboration across various government departments is crucial to share and gather extensive datasets. In addition, implementing a continuous process of data cleaning and model refinement is essential to maintain data accuracy and reliability. Begin with a solid foundation of reliable data, and continuously enhance accuracy over time.

3. Strong AI-Ready Team: In addition to developing upskilling training programs, forming a dedicated AI governance board from different departments is critical. This board should evaluate proposed AI solutions (including GenAI), create guidelines to prevent bias and develop clear policies to protect against potential risks such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and privacy breaches. This is an iterative process. Internally, do not forget to regularly seek feedback from both staff and constituents to refine the policies. Externally, do not hesitate to collaborate with other local governments or states facing similar challenges: sharing experiences can lead to more robust governance frameworks.

Successful GenAI implementation is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with small, manageable projects and scale up as you gain experience and confidence. The journey towards responsible GenAI adoption in local government is just beginning. As Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, stated, “We’re neither frozen by the fears nor hypnotized by the upside. We’re taking a clear-eyed, humble approach to this world-changing technology.” By actively participating in collaborative networks, engaging in ongoing learning and sharing experiences, we can collectively shape a future where GenAI enhances public services while upholding the values of ethical, effective and trustworthy governance. This path requires courage, curiosity, and a commitment. Let’s embrace this challenge together!

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Author: Annie Bui is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Administration major, where her research focus on the integration of GenAI in Local Governments. She is the current President of Student Public Administration Association (SPAA) at University of La Verne. At the same time, she works for Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a non-profit organization funded by Small Business Administration, provides zero cost one-on-one consulting services to entrepreneurs for their new and existing businesses. As both a researcher and a practitioner, she committed not just to discussing theories but to actively seeking comprehensive resources that enhance our understanding of how to leverage this technology effectively in the public sector – a sector traditionally slower to adopt technology than the private sector. Her aim is to explore practical solutions that help public leaders to catch up with this fast-changing technology by being ready and proactive in adopting it. Her monthly article series will cover various topics related to GenAI in the current local government settings. Each article is designed to give government agencies the essential knowledge and tools to prepare for an effective and responsible GenAI adoption.

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