Depending on who you listen to, artificial intelligence is either going to be the solution to 98 percent of the world’s problems or the destruction of all life on the planet once Skynet becomes self-aware.

 Either way, AI has already had a monumental impact in the business and investment communities, so it makes sense that, a couple of years later, it’s now something local governments across North Carolina – including Guilford County government – are exploring in regard to its uses and threats.

And the first step to implementing AI productively, or avoiding its perils, is understanding what it is and how it operates.

That’s exactly what a new Zoom class will be offering.

On Friday, June 14, the NC School of Government – a UNC-Chapel Hill-based think tank of government experts who help inform city, county, and state elected leaders across North Carolina – is hosting a class, “Top 10 Primer: What Local Elected Officials Need to Know about New Developments in Artificial Intelligence.”

Promotional material for the online seminar notes: “Over the past year, generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have exploded in popularity and are being actively used by some local government employees. As AI continues to evolve, it brings new opportunities and challenges to local government leaders and to the communities they serve. This session will provide an overview of how generative AI tools work, the limitations in their capabilities, and the legal pitfalls and ethical risks associated with using these tools.”

The session is, among other things, going to help elected leaders and top local government staff in the state learn about the following …

  • The various generative AI platforms available
  • How those platforms mimic human intelligence and creativity
  • Practical governmental uses of generative AI
  • Risks and potential pitfalls with personal or confidential data
  • How to manage transparency and public records requirements related to AI.

In many local governments across the state, intelligence of any kind in leadership would be appreciated, so the Rhino Times is happy to see the exploration of this subject.

Also, should the machines take over and enslave mankind, the Rhino Times would like it to be part of the public record that this publication, for one, welcomes the arrival of our AI overlords.

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