NACo opens AI leadership academy for county government employees
The National Association of Counties on Friday announced the opening of its Artificial Intelligence Leadership Academy, an online, six-week program catering to county government workers.
According to the group’s announcement, the academy’s curriculum includes lessons from industry executives, researchers and university professors. The courses include lessons on how to better understand artificial intelligence and how to mitigate its risks, such as the potential of AI tools to amplify bias or share misinformation.
“The leadership coaches facilitating this program will demystify AI with practical, relevant and immediately actionable cases, frameworks and tools for existing and emerging leaders in government,” the program’s website reads. “The work of government leaders has never been more challenging. This program addresses the challenge head-on and provides participants with engaging content that will increase confidence to lead with AI for good governance.”
According to the announcement, the lessons were developed with help from the Professional Development Academy, a workforce development firm. The new online program adds to the county government’s current educational offerings for county employees, which include courses on leadership and cybersecurity.
“We are pleased to offer this new resource for counties,” NACo Chief Information Officer Rita Reynolds said in the announcement. “As counties aim to deploy AI across a wide range of functions, the academy will provide insightful training to keep us on the cutting edge of public service.”
