Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

LOCAL LAWMAKER INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY IN ALBANY COUNTY

ALBANY, NY – Legislator Zach Collins (C-R, Coeymans) recently introduced a bill that would create an official policy on potential use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Albany County Government. The resolution would create a working group of municipal and tech professionals to study possible GenAI applications in government, and adopt an official County policy on the issue by the end of 2025.

“We live in a new world with rapidly expanding use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in everyday life. From ChatGPT to Grok, and for better or worse, GenAI has revolutionized the tech industry. Some may ask why local government should get involved in such a weighty topic. I believe it is the responsibility of all lawmakers to adapt to the changing times we live in, and try to create better outcomes for every taxpayer and resident we represent. We must study this issue objectively to better understand if Albany County Government can leverage GenAI to effect positive change, and in light of controversial new platforms like DeepSeek, also make sure this technology is not abused,” said Legislator Collins.

In 2024, the National Association of Counties published a first-of-its-kind “Comprehensive Toolkit for Local Governance and Implementation of Artificial Intelligence.” The report included a recommendation for counties to create a stand-alone policy on GenAI and to establish a process to regularly review and update that policy as technology and other circumstances evolve.

Members of the 8-member “GenAI Policy Working Group” to study use of the evolving technology in County Government functions would include:

• At least one appointee being an individual with professional or academic experience in the field of Artificial Intelligence;

• Two members recommended by the County’s Chief Information Officer;

• Two members recommended by labor organizations which represent Albany County employees; and

• One member each recommended by the County Attorney and Commissioner of Human Resources.