Palm Desert City Council to consider a new AI policy

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Palm Desert City Council is set to consider a new policy Thursday evening outlining how the city can use artificial intelligence and what safeguards would be required.

The proposed policy would classify AI uses as low, moderate or high risk, with different levels of oversight depending on how the technology is used. Examples include helping city employees draft documents, assisting residents through a website chatbot and tools that could influence decisions affecting people or businesses.

City Clerk Anthony Mejia says the city wants to protect its data and ensure higher-risk applications receive additional review. The city has already decided not to move forward with a proposed AI-assisted building plan review system because officials did not believe the technology was ready.

The meeting begins at 4 p.m. Thursday at Palm Desert City Hall and is open to the public. Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed policy when it comes up for consideration.

If approved, the city plans to create a public webpage listing approved AI tools and their uses.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continued coverage.