County Supervisors OK Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee
SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved the establishment of an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technologies.
The proposal was spearheaded by Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Supervisor Joel Anderson, and is intended to “harness the power of cutting-edge technologies to enhance county services,” according to a statement from the supervisors.
“It is critical that, as a county, we understand and integrate transformative technologies to ensure we are at the forefront of technological advancements,” Vargas said. “We must leverage innovative solutions to make county operations more efficient, responsive, and inclusive, while also safeguarding the public from potential risks associated with AI and other emerging technologies.
“This subcommittee will address both the opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies while ensuring ethical AI governance and exploring opportunities with new technology,” she said.
According to the proposal, the subcommittee will develop appropriate recommendations and actions on AI-related policies, review new technology procurements and data initiatives that involve an AI system, and review the governance for proactively managing and monitoring new AI advancements.
Additionally, it will evaluate the county’s current technology and communication needs and provide input to the county’s chief administrative officer.
“I’m pleased that this board is taking a proactive approach to ensure that we can implement new technology safely and responsibly by establishing an advisory subcommittee,” Anderson said. “I’m especially excited to explore the ways we can utilize AI at the county to better serve our constituents.”
Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer said that as county leaders look at the promises of AI, it is also important to consider its less-positive impacts on people and workers. As one example, Lawson-Remer cited the way automation changed assembly line work in the 1970s and ’80s.
— City News Service
