Longmont creates advisory board for city technology policy
The seven-member board can recommend policies on artificial intelligence, data privacy and camera technologies, but cannot direct city operations.
Longmont City Council voted unanimously Sept. 22 to create a Technology Policy Advisory Board that can recommend policies on artificial intelligence, data governance and privacy. At the meeting, speakers raised concerns about AI-generated police reports and surveillance technology, subjects that overlap with parts of the board’s policy remit.
The ordinance includes artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools used in city operations that affect residents, as well as camera technologies such as automated license-plate readers, facial-recognition systems and audio-recording systems. It does not specifically mention AI-generated police reports or give the board oversight of any particular police system.
The board is advisory, not supervisory: It can advise City Council, including when the council refers high-impact technology policy for review, but cannot direct staff, make operational decisions or decide individual procurements. The city manager retains administrative authority over city operations and technology.
The council will appoint seven voting members, and the Longmont Youth Council will appoint a nonvoting member. The ordinance calls for members with relevant personal or professional experience, including in software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, privacy and ethics.
The board is also tasked with helping the public understand city technology policies. Its meeting records, reports and recommendations are public records, consistent with applicable law. The ordinance does not set an appointment deadline or date for the board’s first meeting.