At the Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) meeting, a report was presented on the CODC’s new artificial intelligence (AI) policy.
The policy approved use of AI by council staff, contractors and elected members for work-related purposes.
CODC chief information officer Nathan McLeod said the policy highlighted risks and provided guidelines on proper AI use.
"It’s a useful tool but it’s not always going to be completely right and you’ve got to use your own knowledge and experience like we do in the day-to-day."
Users would be given training to build their confidence and understanding of AI, Mr McLeod said.
The policy said users should be aware of AI limitations, "including known issues with diversity and inclusion".
CODC business support group manager Saskia Righarts said the policy took an inclusive yet cautionary approach to AI.
"This policy really does recognise that there are some benefits, but we do — as an organisation — need to be a bit cautious with the implementation of it."
Cr Stu Duncan questioned the risks associated with the use of AI by staff and elected members.
"For a computer illiterate person ... how do we know we’ve [broken] a policy, when we don’t even understand the scientific part of AI?"
Mr McLeod assured Cr Duncan the training would give users’ the confidence and understanding to operate AI safely and responsibly.
The CODC policy defined AI as "information systems that do tasks which seem like intelligent behaviour, such as finding patterns or categorizing."
"This includes generative AI tools, as well as other systems that interpret data or automate tasks."
Cr Sally Feinerman said AI could provide a beneficial "starting point" for paperwork-heavy roles in council.
"I think it could be really good at saving time for people that are doing a lot of reports."
Cr Martin McPherson said AI would "revolutionise" the way council did business.
Mayor Tim Cadogan agreed, and said AI was "the internet part two".
Mr Cadogan had previously used AI, unaware of the prescribed procedure, and was pleased to see the process for using it formalised.
"I was happily using [Chat GPT] before Audit and Risk told me ‘don’t’."
"This is important and I look forward to everybody attending the training."
The council accepted the report.
