Montgomery County is taking a step into the future with the launch of a new AI for Public Good Advisory Council, writes Justin Heinze for the Patch.
As AI tools grow more powerful—and more pervasive—county leaders are moving quickly to ensure ethics, transparency, and community benefit stay front and center. The newly formed council will advise on how to put AI to work across areas like storm preparedness, traffic flow, public safety, and even human services.
“AI tools can help us prepare for floods and storms, reduce traffic congestion, and make government more efficient and accessible,” said Commissioner Neil Makhija. “But it has to be done right—and that means ethics, transparency, and public trust.”
The council is currently recruiting 7 to 15 members from across Montco, including voices from academia, nonprofits, the private sector, and public service. These experts will guide an interdepartmental team of county employees in applying AI in ways that serve residents while addressing concerns around privacy, security, and skill displacement.
County officials envision the technology supporting everything from financial operations to regulatory compliance—while never losing sight of the human impact.
Read more about Montgomery County’s new AI for Public Good Advisory Council in the Patch.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in April 2025.
