Macedon Ranges council will look to implement the use of artificial intelligence.
At the July 23 council meeting, Cr Kate Kendall put forward a notice of motion to have council develop a draft AI policy to set a clear direction for council’s use of the technology.
Cr Kendall said AI is evolving at an alarming rate, already impacting many industries.
“I believe Macedon Ranges Shire Council has already been using AI in some of its internal protocols and guidelines, and my fellow councillors too perhaps even use (AI) for writing speeches,” she said.
“One of my main concerns is how organisations, especially those in the public sector use AI safely and responsibility.”
Cr Kendall said she was concerned of the repercussions of using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT.
“We need to ensure confidential council information doesn’t inadvertently become part of an openly available AI model,” she said.
She also said all levels of government need to take action on this issue.
Not all councillors were convinced of the policy idea, with Cr Jennifer Anderson and Cr Cassy Borthwick all speaking and voting against.
The chief executive will now prepare a draft AI policy, to be presented to a council briefing within the next four months, before progression to a council meeting.
