Artificial intelligence is already at work in local government, from chatbots and repetitive administrative tasks to data cleanup and even the analysis of the life-cycle costs of HVAC systems.
At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, local government and technology leaders shared real-world examples of how AI is being integrated into everyday operations and explored how counties can identify practical uses while managing the risks that come with rapidly evolving technology.
Delegate Denise Roberts led the discussion during the general session, “AI That Works: Practical Use Cases for County Government.”
Panelists included:
- Benton Yetman, Senior Director of Product Management, OpenGov
- TJ Mayotte, Chief Information Officer, City of Baltimore
- Dave Warnick, Director of the Department of Information Technology, Cecil County
The discussion highlighted several areas where AI is already proving useful, including copilots, repetitive tasks, analysis and reporting, and public-facing tools such as chatbots. Benton Yetman encouraged local governments to begin with small, proven opportunities to save staff time before expanding their use of the technology. For public-facing applications, he recommended piloting a controlled use case and measuring resident satisfaction, not simply how often the tool is used, while also learning from jurisdictions already experimenting with similar technology.
Examples from Baltimore showed just how varied those applications can be. TJ Mayotte highlighted the City’s use of AI for tasks including mainframe data cleanup and HVAC life-cycle cost analysis. But practical applications also come with additional responsibility for government. Mayotte emphasized transparency and fairness, noting the heightened scrutiny public agencies face when adopting AI technology.
That balance between experimentation and responsible use also extends to the workforce. Dave Warnick discussed how AI use has evolved during his six years leading Cecil County’s IT department and stressed the importance of understanding how employees are already incorporating the technology into their work. Training, he noted, is critical to helping employees use AI safely, particularly when handling sensitive information that should not be entered into unsecured AI tools.
For attendees looking for a place to start, the discussion offered a relatively simple approach: start small, identify a measurable problem AI can help solve, train employees to use the technology responsibly, and learn from what other jurisdictions are already doing. As AI capabilities continue to grow, practical implementation can help counties determine where the technology adds genuine value, and where it does not.
Article contributed by Sophie Brzozowsky, Legislative Services Assistant, MACo.
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