Georgia Technology Authority unveils AI playbook for state’s local governments
The Georgia Technology Authority’s Office of Artificial Intelligence on Thursday unveiled its Local Government AI Playbook, a guide to help cities and counties adopt the tech responsibly even if they lack dedicated AI personnel.
The 53-page document is designed to help local governments — particularly those that lack dedicated AI teams, formal AI policies or the resources to develop their own governance frameworks — start building their AI strategy from scratch. Authored by Nikhil Deshpande, Georgia’s chief digital and AI officer, the document establishes a framework for local governments to experiment with AI while protecting residents’ information, maintaining public trust and ensuring the government remains accountable for decisions made using the tech.
Rather than encouraging local governments to immediately purchase AI products, Georgia recommends that they first establish policies, create inventories of existing AI systems, form oversight committees and train employees. The playbook also encourages governments to identify AI features embedded in already existing software, including human resources platforms, cybersecurity products, permitting systems and document-management tools.
The playbook’s central recommendation is for these smaller governments to establish central guardrails first, then allow individual departments to pursue innovation. It also emphasizes that local governments should start exploring use cases from the problem they are trying to solve, rather than purchasing AI products simply because the technology is available.
It also stresses that AI should augment public employees’ work, not replace their professional judgment or existing staff.
The playbook is also meant to prepare local governments for agentic AI, going beyond generative AI chatbots and productivity tools to address systems that are capable of independently taking actions rather than simply generating information. If local governments are to implement agentic AI, the state recommends limiting agents’ permissions to start and requiring human approval for consequential actions. It also recommends keeping detailed activity logs for the agents and establishing mechanisms to quickly disable systems should things go awry.
In a LinkedIn post, State Chief Information Officer and GTA Executive Director Shawnzia Thomas thanked state Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick — who requested the state put together the resource for localities — for “her vision of this playbook and commitment to helping local governments navigate AI.”
“The playbook provides guidance and adaptable templates to help cities and counties establish AI governance, evaluate projects, support employee productivity, and build an AI ready workforce all while keeping people accountable and safeguards in place,” Thomas said. “Our goal in Georgia is better government services and stronger communities, powered by innovation with integrity.”
