Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries and Macedon Ranges Shire Council will soon consider a new purposed policy to catch up.

An Artificial Intelligence Policy is intended to “set clear direction for the safe, effective and innovative use of AI, support compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines, and build community trust”.

Last week, Cr Kate Kendall spearheaded the move for development of draft document, stating it had “some urgency”.

“AI is evolving at an alarming rate and it’s already impacting multiple industries,” she said.

“I believe the Macedon Ranges Shire Council is already using AI in some of its internal protocols and guidelines and my fellow councillors too, perhaps, for writing speeches.”

Cr Kendall said there should be transparency around how the council was already using AI, how council could use it to innovate and be more efficient, and how it would safeguard its data.

“We need to ensure that confidential council information doesn’t inadvertently become part of an openly available AI model,” she said.

“The community should know about the involvement of AI. We should tell the community if they are interfacing with a chatbot or AI, for instance, instead of a human in the future, and think about if we even want that to be the case.”

The proposed policy is expected align with the administrative guidelines for AI use in the Victorian public sector, and define requirements for risk, procurement, staff training, compliance, monitoring and effective innovation.

While councillors generally spoke to the need for a policy, some felt more discussion was needed on the subject.

Cr Christine Walker opposed the motion on the grounds that she wanted more input from fellow councillors before it reached the council chambers.

Crs Cassy Borthwick and Jennifer Anderson also voted against the motion. Cr Anderson said the council needed time to “get it right and take appropriate steps”.

However, other councillors suggested further conversations about the subject would not likely arrive at a different outcome.

The motion gained support in a 6-3 vote. A division recorded those in favour were Crs Kendall, Pearce, Bonanno, Joseph, Young and Scanlon. Those against were Crs Walker, Anderson and Borthwick.

A draft policy is expected to be presented to a council briefing within four months for consideration to progress to a future council meeting.