Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Resolution directing County departments to project the impact of artificial intelligence software implementation on the County workforce.
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution directing county departments to project the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) software implementation on the County workforce and to report on creation of new types of County positions to improve services to San Mateo County residents in numbers at least equal to positions projected to be eliminated as a result of the implementation of AI software and that the County Executive track the countywide workforce impact of AI.
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BACKGROUND:
Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have the potential to significantly transform County work by streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing data analysis, and improving decision-making processes. However, these same advancements raise concerns about potential job displacement for the County workforce.
In response, on January 23, 2024, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 080119, which affirms the importance of maintaining County jobs despite advancements in AI and directed the County Executive do develop strategies such as retraining, redeployment, and collaboration with employee representatives to mitigate AI-related job displacement and support a resilient workforce. Furthermore, the resolution detailed that if it appears a position may be eliminated due to AI implementation for the benefit of the County, the County will pursue options for maintaining the position until the position has become vacant for a reason other than the implementation of the AI technology, such as a retirement or an employee’s departure from employment with the County.
DISCUSSION:
This resolution builds upon Resolution No. 080119 by proposing a framework by which County departments may project the impact and plan for future AI technology implementation that promotes the creation of new opportunities to improve service delivery for County residents. This proposed framework includes the following activities.
1. Prior to implementing any AI technology in operations, all County departments shall prepare an estimate and an analysis upon which such estimate is based, of the number of current and projected County employee positions that will be eliminated consistent with Board Resolution No. 08119 (or that will not need to be hired) because of that technology’s deployment. These estimates shall be submitted to the County Executive who is directed to share them with the Board of Supervisors.
2. No more than one year following the implementation of any such AI technology, the department implementing the AI software shall, to the extent that the department finds it feasible to do so, bring to the Board of Supervisors a proposal for the creation of new County employee positions at least equal to the number of positions estimated to be eliminated (or that did not require filling) owing to the implementation of the AI software. Such positions shall be designed to improve the delivery of services to County residents. If the department does not find it feasible to propose the creation of such new County employee positions, the department shall provide an analysis of why such a proposal is not feasible. Proposed positions shall be considered as part of the County’s annual budget and staffing review process.
3. The County Executive’s Office shall maintain a centralized and ongoing record of the total number of County positions that have been rendered unnecessary by the adoption of AI technologies across all departments. This data shall be included in an annual artificial intelligence workforce impact report submitted to the Board of Supervisors.
4. These requirements shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the County’s previously adopted AI workforce Resolution No. 080119, particularly the directive to avoid job displacement, by maintaining positions impacted by AI technology until those positions become vacant through natural attrition, including retirement, transfer, or voluntary separation.
This framework is intended to serve as a guiding principle for ethical AI technology integration that enhances public services while valuing the County’s dedicated workforce.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
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All County departments submit to the County Executive and Board of Supervisors an analysis and estimate of county jobs impacted because of proposed AI technology in advance of implementation. |
Complete |
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All County departments submit to the Board of Supervisors a proposal of the creation of new types of County positions adaptive to the future AI economy within one year of AI technology implementation. |
Complete |
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The County Executive maintains a centralized ongoing record of the total number of County positions impacted by the implementation of AI technologies across all departments and submits an annual AI workforce impact report to the Board of Supervisors. |
Complete |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This action promotes the high level of value given to County employees while ensuring efficient and enhanced services for San Mateo County residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.