Maryland officials are proceeding with caution as they navigate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into their operations. Concerns about data privacy and potential breaches have prompted local governments and engineers to approach AI with extreme care.
Chris Martin, the acting director of information and technology for Baltimore County, emphasized that the government does not engage in beta testing, as it does not want to subject constituents and customers to uncertain technological changes. Governor Wes Moore issued an executive order acknowledging the potential benefits of AI while also recognizing the risks associated with privacy and data breaches.
To oversee the governance of AI in the state, an artificial intelligence subcabinet was created, chaired by Maryland Secretary of Information Technology Katie Savage. The subcabinet includes other cabinet heads and department directors, with a focus on protecting the state’s data, including voting rolls and medical histories.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott issued an executive order requiring the disclosure of generative AI usage in any city government report, document, or communication. The order also prohibits the uploading of private information into applications like ChatGPT. However, city officials declined to provide further details on the implementation of the executive order.
Dr. Kofi Nyarko, a professor at Morgan State University, highlighted the importance of caution when it comes to AI’s data collection capabilities. He expressed concerns about the potential mining of data by cameras used for tracking traffic patterns or school security without the knowledge of government agencies.
Nyarko recommended storing data on internal servers rather than relying on cloud services. However, Maryland’s Department of Information Technology manages several data centers and has contracts with Google and Microsoft for cloud storage and web services. The department ensures that third-party terms and conditions protect the state’s data.
Jack Martin, the chief information officer for Anne Arundel County, manages a wireless network and emergency call systems. The county relies on cloud services from Northern Virginia, as it does not have its own data servers. Martin highlighted the differences between generative AI and previous technological advancements, emphasizing the need for predictable outputs.
While generative AI has shown promise in certain areas, such as summarizing and classifying 311 requests, it has also faced challenges. Anne Arundel County’s attempt to set up a database to assist contractors in determining necessary permits failed. Nishant Shah, a senior adviser for AI in Savage’s office, mentioned the state’s exploration of using AI to expedite permit application processing.