Artificial Intelligence Usage Policies

February 20, 2024

In early 2024, the Centralina regional AI working group, featuring municipal representatives from our nine-county region, pooled together expertise and research to craft the Generative AI Policy Guidance Document for Local Governments. This detailed guide provides a structured framework, practical insights and policy template language to help municipalities effectively manage and implement generative AI technologies.

Review the group’s resources below.

February Working Group Resources

In this meeting, attendees reviewed what AI Usage Policies are, how they are used and the common elements found in AI Usage Policies adopted by local governments.

March Working Group Resources

This second session of the AI Working Group includes a short recap of the February session, along with deep dives into usage policies and opportunities for discussion amongst the group on next steps toward developing policy guidelines.

April Working Group Resources

This third session of the AI Working Group includes a short recap of the March session, a “Peer Profile” Presentation from the City of Tempe’s Chief Data &  Analytics Officer on their current AI policies and procedures, along with time for feedback and questions on the Tempe presentation and updates from community attendees on their processes for planning for new policies or implementing existing policies. 

Federal funds are commonly passed through state agencies in North Carolina before being awarded to local governments, which can make the original funding source less obvious. Before proceeding with a procurement, local governments should verify whether an award originates from a federal source. This determination affects compliance obligations, including procurement standards, reporting, and audit requirements.

When a construction or repair contract over $300,000 involves a building, the procurement and contract are subject to additional requirements under N.C.G.S. 143-128. Therefore, this question must be answered to determine whether the additional statutory requirements apply to this procurement scenario.

The micro-purchase threshold is a federal procurement threshold under which competitive procurement is not required. The default micro-purchase threshold is $15,000, but local governments may increase the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. An explanation of increasing the micro-purchase threshold and a template for the required annual self-certification is available here.