The Public Technology Institute’s (PTI) 2024 AI and City/County Government Survey Results sheds light on the state of artificial intelligence readiness in local governments across the United States. Of the 55 respondents—representing a diverse mix of city and county IT leaders—only 46% reported being “somewhat prepared” to make productive and safe use of AI tools. Alarmingly, 38% of respondents said their organizations are “not prepared at all,” signaling a substantial need for clear governance and strategic investment.

On a positive note, 53% of IT leaders indicated they are actively developing AI governance policies and frameworks to guide adoption. However, 40% said their jurisdictions had taken “no steps” toward addressing AI’s impact on government workforces. Collaboration with AI industry experts and investments in training programs remain limited, with only 29% and 27% of respondents, respectively, engaging in these activities.

PTI’s findings underscore that many local governments lack the expertise and processes to leverage AI effectively, particularly as Generative AI becomes more prevalent. Top concerns cited by respondents include security risks, privacy issues, and a lack of necessary skills among their technology workforces.

The survey compared local government responses to those from state IT executives, highlighting workforce-related anxieties at both levels. When asked about confidence in their technology teams’ ability to meet AI demands, only 4% of local respondents described themselves as “highly confident,” with 34% expressing they were “less confident” and 7% admitting they were “not at all confident.”

The survey noted a decline in optimism about AI-driven changes in local government operations. While 53% of respondents still foresee “dramatic change” over the next three years, this reflects a dip from 58% in 2023. The remaining 47% expect “little change,” indicating tempered expectations.

Despite challenges, specific AI applications are already being explored. The top areas of focus include:

• Virtual customer service tools (e.g., AI chatbots), cited by 70% of respondents.

• Automated data management and document generation tools (tied at 48%).

• Workforce training and learning solutions and query assistants (both at 42%).

Still, leadership structures for AI development remain unclear. Only 11% of jurisdictions have designated a single individual responsible for AI coordination, while 63% report having no formal leadership structure in place.

The findings serve as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for local governments. As AI technologies rapidly evolve, PTI urges jurisdictions to prioritize governance, collaboration, and workforce training. Alan Shark, PTI’s Executive Director, encouraged IT leaders to take the lead, stating, “Be an advocate for guardrails, collaboration, and skill-building.”

The survey concludes that local governments must act decisively to navigate AI’s opportunities and risks. Without clear policies and investments in skills development, many jurisdictions risk being left behind in an increasingly AI-driven world.

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