AI is already in use across local governments, often before organizational policies or guidance are in place.

That reality brings both opportunity and responsibility. While AI can improve efficiency, productivity, and support decision-making, it also raises important questions about data integrity, public trust, ethics, and oversight. 

At the 2026 ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference in Orlando, Florida, practitioners and thought leaders from across the country shared how they are navigating these challenges in real time. Their insights reflect a practical approach to local government AI, focused on both what is possible and what is appropriate and sustainable in a public service environment. 

1. Balance Opportunity with Responsibility

"Like anything we do in local government, we need to look at AI holistically. It's not just about zooming in on what the benefits and opportunities are, but also understanding the risks and how we evaluate those in a way that is mindful of our responsibility as public servants. It's not just about how we become more efficient and effective. That's very important, but we also have to be mindful of maintaining public trust and accountability."

— Aubrey Phillips, strategic initiatives and grants director, St. Petersburg, Florida

2. Start with Reliable Data

"AI is only going to be as good as your data. Make sure that there is good data integrity and that your data is reliable. Otherwise, your AI solutions will be worthless."

— Caleb Casteel, business and data analytics manager, McKinney, Texas

3. Encourage Open Dialogue and Learning

"Whether you know it or not, all of your employees are talking about AI. So you need to discuss AI in terms of opportunities. There's a lot more to be gained from learning about AI than there is from fearing it. I think the majority of employees don't really know much about AI, and all they're hearing is that it's a path to losing their jobs. But AI is here to stay. So we need to have active conversations in order to learn together so we can face that fear head-on." 

— Diane Stoddard, city administrator, Leawood, Kansas

4. Keep Human at the Center

"AI can do things faster, but there should always be a human in the loop. It is critical to have a human reviewing what AI does for many reasons. And that includes ethics as well as making sure that there's equity in the system. Making sure that the AI knows the regulations and the codes is also extremely important."

— Mike Etienne, chief planning and development services, Harris County, Texas

5. Address Cybersecurity and Public Records Risks

"People are already using AI, and we need to look at it from an organizational perspective of how we can enable it and ensure we're trained to fully use it—because there are a lot of cybersecurity concerns and public information requests as well. When government looks up information or asks AI to do certain things, that activity is subject to public records. So we must educate our employees."

— Shelli Siemer, deputy city manager, Plano, Texas

6. Test Local Government AI Tools with Purpose

"It's important not to get overwhelmed by AI and try to see past the hype of it. Take time to think about what problems you might have that AI can realistically solve. Be willing to test things as much as you feel comfortable doing. And you can take your time. There may be some AI platforms that are not worth the financial cost. But you can try things out to figure out the best AI resources for your organization."

— Jordan Dejna, account executive, Zencity

Continue the Conversation at the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference

The dialogue around AI and other emerging challenges of this year is just getting started.

This fall, join thousands of local government leaders at the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, October 17-21. Connect with peers, explore practical strategies, and gain insights you can apply immediately in your organization.

Registration opens June 10. Save the date and prepare for what's next in local government. Learn more