The municipal AI policy should explicitly prohibit municipal employees from using personal generative AI accounts for municipal business, including attaching any municipal information or data to a prompt made in the employee’s personal account. Likewise, municipal AI policy should explicitly forbid employees from using municipal generative AI accounts for personal matters or storing personal data or documents in a municipal AI account. The policy should also explicitly prohibit employees from entering personally identifiable information and other sensitive, confidential, or regulated data in an AI prompt. Irresponsible practices, such as failing to verify output accuracy or using AI in scenarios that may present an ethical or operational risk, should also be forbidden. Finally, the policy should outline the disciplinary measures that will be enforced should violations occur. Available Municipal AI Training Opportunities UW-Madison Extension currently offers two levels of AI training for local governments: AI-101 (Basic) and AI-201 (Intermediate) and will offer AI-301 (Advanced) by later this fall. AI-101 introduces how local governments are using AI, outlines potential risks, and teaches strategies to manage those risks. AI-201 builds practical skills through hands-on exercises. Participants learn to use AI for tasks like writing grants and policy memos, researching issues, preparing agendas and meeting minutes, analyzing ordinance compliance, and spotting AI-generated errors such as hallucinations and deepfake videos. AI-301 training curriculum, again in development, will focus on the newest form of AI known as Agentic AI . Agentic AI systems can reason, plan, and act independently to achieve complex goals. Unlike traditional AI, which responds to prompts, agentic AI can break down tasks, make decisions, and adjust its actions based on changing information – like how a human might approach solving a problem or managing a project. The demand for Extension AI training is substantial. In response, Extension is training more educators to provide AI training.
“AI won’t take your job, it’s somebody using AI who will take your job.” - Economist Richard Baldwin
Conclusion Generative AI offers numerous potential benefits to Wisconsin cities and villages. Trained municipal staff adhering to a well- written generative AI use policy will help ensure cities and villages maximize AI’s advantages while minimizing risks.
Rick Petfalski , Muskego Mayor. Contact Rick at rpetfalski@muskego.wi.gov
Bill Oemichen , UW-Madison Division of Extension Professor of Practice – Law/Local Government Law Educator. Contact Bill at woemichen@wisc.edu
Professional Civil, Municipal & Structural Engineering Complete Building Design • Grant Writing • Land Development • Planning & CADD Services Platteville, Wisconsin 53818 Phone: (608) 348-5355 Website: www.delta3eng.biz EVERY ANGLE COVERED
The Municipality - October 2025 | 8
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