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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policies and Resources for Local Governments

This page provides an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) for Washington local governments, including AI policy examples, public records considerations, governance frameworks, risk assessment strategies, AI procurement guidance, data center resources, and more.

Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined by Dictionary.com, refers to “the capacity of a computer, robot, programmed device, or software application to perform operations and tasks analogous to learning and decision making in humans.” Local governments are using AI to streamline day-to-day operations and enhance service delivery.

One of the most widely applicable AI technologies is Generative AI (GenAI), which large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT or Copilot, use to generate text, images, audio, or video content based on user prompts (for a more detailed definition of GenAI, see the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Science and Tech Spotlight: Generative AI (2023)). GenAI is also being integrated into existing software programs and internet search engines.

There are numerous potential uses of GenAI that could help local governments further increase efficiency and improve their services. For instance, some cities use AI-powered chatbots to help handle public inquiries and provide language translation while others employ predictive analytics to optimize traffic management or allocate resources more effectively.

However, AI use also brings certain drawbacks and legal risks such as confidentiality and data privacy concerns, inaccuracies and hallucinations, bias and discrimination, and challenges in transparency, among others.

Important: Because of these associated risks, it is essential to adopt policies that establish clear guardrails and reduce potential liability.

For examples of AI policies and strategies to leverage the benefits of AI use while mitigating risks, see the information and resources listed in the below sections of this page.

Federal and State Regulations and Guidelines

While several federal executive orders have been issued addressing AI over the past few years, there is still no comprehensive AI regulation or guidance at the federal level.

In Washington State, the Office of the Attorney General AI Task Force was established in 2024 by the legislature to assess current uses and trends of artificial intelligence and make recommendations by 2026 regarding guidelines and potential legislation for AI use. See SB 5838.

Additionally, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), a state agency created through the consolidation of information technology divisions at other state agencies and which also houses the state Office of Cybersecurity, adopted the following interim guidelines and policy for the responsible use of AI technologies:

WaTech also provides additional information and guidance in their Artificial Intelligence Resources webpage. As noted earlier, the resources are geared to state agencies but can be useful for local governments.

Government AI (GovAI) Coalition Resources

The GovAI Coalition is a coalition of local, state, and federal government agencies, led by the City of San Jose (CA), dedicated to promoting responsible and purposeful AI use in the public sector. Local governments can join the coalition, read newsletters, and participate in committees/working groups, where best practices and AI use cases are shared. You can find recordings of their meetings on the GovAI Coalition YouTube channel.

The coalition offers a wealth of information and resources on their GovAI Templates & Resources webpage, including AI policy templates, checklists, and use cases. Some resources will also be highlighted in other sections of this webpage.

Public Records and GenAI

Digital information captured by agency systems while a public employee or elected official is conducting their day-to-day work is generally considered a public record because it meets the definitions in RCW 42.56.010 for a "writing" and a "record." GenAI prompts and outputs (such as AI chat histories or AI meeting summaries generated by digital meeting software like Zoom) saved in the system, like search histories, are therefore likely to be classified as public records.

For additional information, see the Washington State Archives (State Archives) guidance, Are Generative AI Interactions Public Records? (2024).

What Are Retention Requirements for GenAI Records?

There is not yet a retention schedule that specifically applies to GenAI records. However, the State Archives clarifies in their records management advice sheet, How Long Do Generative AI Records Need to Be Kept? (2024), that agencies must consider “the content and the function of the record” when determining how long to retain it.

The retention schedules for public agency records can be found in the Local Government Common Records Retention Schedule (CORE) on the State Archive’s Local Government Records Retention Schedules webpage.

For more information on public records, see MRSC's pages on the Public Records Act.

Examples of AI and GenAI Policies

Below are examples of local government AI and GenAI policies that provide guidelines and requirements for the responsible use of AI technologies. For an AI policy template, see the GovAI Coalition's Templates and Resources page.

Washington Cities

  • Bellevue AI Policy and Guidelines – Establishes AI guiding principles and addresses a comprehensive range of requirements covering the procurement of AI technology, use of AI and AI outputs, transparency, reducing bias and harm, data privacy, periodic review of AI systems, training, community engagement and awareness, public records and records management, among others.
  • Kirkland Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Policy (2024) – Short policy addressing acceptable use of generative AI while complying with data protection, public records requirements, non-discrimination, and information accuracy.
  • Puyallup Generative AI Use Policy (2024) – Establishes acceptable and appropriate use of GenAI while complying with data protection, public records requirements, nondiscrimination, and information accuracy.
  • Seattle
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy (2025) – Addresses acquisition of generative AI technology; use of AI outputs; attribution, accountability, and ownership; bias/harm; data privacy; and public records.
    • Artificial Intelligence Plan (2025) – Two-year plan for integrating AI into public services, municipal operations, and civic engagement, with IT department scaling deployment from pilot testing toward citywide use.
  • Spokane Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies (2024) – Offers guidelines and regulations to promote responsible, ethical, and secure use of AI.
  • Wenatchee Artificial Intelligence Use Policy (2025) – Provides guidelines for acceptable use of GenAI; includes enacting resolution.

Washington Counties

Outside Washington

AI Governance Frameworks and Risk Management Strategies

Before procuring or deploying AI systems, using robust evaluation strategies and governance frameworks to assess real-world impacts can help government agencies navigate the complexities of AI projects and better achieve intended outcomes.

Below are resources that can assist in the process of applying organization-wide AI governance frameworks:

The resources listed below focus on assessing the potential risks of AI use in different scenarios and the corresponding appropriate level of oversight needed.

Agency AI Training as a Risk Management Approach

Another option that local governments can take to leverage the opportunities AI offers while minimizing its risks is to provide an agency-wide AI training program for staff.

Below is a resource from the GovAI Coalition that can help your agency start an AI training program:

Procurement of Government AI Systems

Because AI systems are developed by private sector companies and acquired by public agencies, strategic oversight of the AI procurement process is crucial to avoid or minimize potential liability due to system deficits, transparency issues, and/or data mismanagement.

Below are some resources to assist local governments in building a strategic AI procurement process:

Procurement Requirements

Note that for procuring IT goods and services from third-party vendors, including AI technologies, the exact procurement type (ex: personal service, purchased service, etc.) will vary depending on the nature of the contract. Different procurement types may have different requirements depending on state laws, local policies, and the estimated contract amount. For more information and guidance, see the section, Procuring IT Goods and Services, on our page on Information Technology Policies & Resources.

Examples of AI Requests for Proposals/Information

Below are some Washington State local government examples of RFPs/RFIs for AI systems:

Community Engagement and AI

When undertaking new AI initiatives, local governments should consider incorporating community engagement in their planning process to ensure that these initiatives align with the needs, values, and concerns of their residents. By actively involving the public in discussions about AI, governments can build public trust, increase transparency, and address potential risks or unintended consequences before they arise.

Below is a resource from the GovAI Coalition that provides some guidance on how to conduct community engagement on AI initiatives:

For more general information about community engagement approaches, see our Community Engagement Resources page.

Data Center Considerations for Local Communities

Data centers, as defined by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), are “facilities that provide critical infrastructure to power modern digital services.” They are essential for running AI systems, since they provide the computing power and infrastructure required to train, deploy, and operate AI technologies. However, data centers also have significant environmental impacts as they consume large amounts of electricity and water that can strain local resources and produce heat and carbon emissions, raising sustainability concerns.

Following Executive Order 25-05, the Washinton State Department of Revenue (DOR) created a workgroup to evaluate the impacts of data centers on the state, from job creation and tax revenue to energy use and environmental impacts. DOR released a preliminary report (2025) and will issue the final report once their tribal consultation process is completed.

Below are some fact sheets from the AAAS that can help local governments understand data centers and better evaluate the opportunities and risks associated with them:

Examples of Local Data Center Codes and Ordinances

Local governments can regulate data centers through zoning codes, conditional use agreements, and/or other infrastructure-focused ordinances. Below are some examples:

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Last Modified: March 25, 2026