Supervisor David Rabbitt highlighted the importance of balancing the opportunities presented by AI with the need for caution and ethical considerations.

Users are required to fact-check AI-generated content and disclose when AI has been involved in content creation due to potential inaccuracies.

However, the policy strictly prohibits entering personal or confidential information into AI technologies to mitigate the risk of sensitive data exposure.

Additionally, departments are barred from using AI for critical decision-making processes, including hiring, promotions, and vendor evaluations.

Approved AI tools include ChatGPT, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Azure, while certain tools like virtual assistants are excluded for privacy reasons.

Sonoma County's initiative is part of a broader trend among California counties, with similar AI guidelines being adopted in places like Santa Cruz and San Francisco.

Concerns have been raised about the access to County data by AI, which could inadvertently lead to the sharing of sensitive information.

Departments can propose additional AI tools for review to ensure compliance with privacy standards, maintaining flexibility in policy as the AI landscape evolves.

On September 10, 2024, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a new policy to guide the use of artificial intelligence by County employees.

This policy aims to enhance government efficiency while addressing ethical challenges and concerns related to the use of AI technology.

Under the new policy, employees are permitted to utilize generative AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as creating emails, drafting documents, and performing data analysis.

The policy emphasizes ethical practices and public transparency regarding AI application and content generation.