Bowser signed a Mayor’s Order outlining the district’s AI Values Statement and Strategic Plan. The order does three key things: establishes six core AI values, establishes an AI public advisory group to increase accountability, and it establishes an internal task force.
Bowser said the technology can transform work processes in the same way that tools like email and smartphones have already done.
“As I talk to my team, I’m seeing that the opportunities are really endless,” Bowser said in her announcement. “But like with any new technology, we need to make sure it works and we need to make sure that it aligns with our D.C. values.”
The mayor’s order defines the District’s AI values, which are as follows: a clear benefit to the people; safety and equity; accountability; transparency; sustainability; and privacy and cybersecurity. These values will help guide assessment of any proposed AI solutions, and only those that align with all six values will be adopted.
Second, it establishes an advisory group, which will be comprised of members of both the government and the public to ensure oversight of the government’s efforts to adopt AI. The group will monitor and advise the mayor on the government’s adherence to the AI values throughout adoption efforts.
Third, the AI taskforce, which will be organized and overseen by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, will be made up of government personnel to work with agencies in producing governance policies, procedures and documents throughout 2024. The taskforce will start a three-year process of helping each agency develop specific strategic plans for AI.
One other action worth mentioning that is established by the order is to set AI benchmarks for the District government by imposing a schedule of deadlines through FY2024 to create core components and document’s to shape the AI Strategic Plan.
During the announcement, Interim CTO Stephen Miller said that this is a road map for success that will help balance the technology’s potential benefits with risk mitigation in an “aggressive but thoughtful approach.”
Miller said that because equity is one of the core AI values, accessibility is an important piece of this work. He noted that having members from the Office of Disability Rights on the task force will help meet accessibility needs.
Bowser noted during the event that many people share concerns about AI, but that it is a technology they likely use in their daily lives without even realizing it. As she described it, this is yet another tool to ensure government is working efficiently, and the policy enacted today will help ensure that it is implemented in a way that ensures the safety of residents.
