By Adam Pagnucco.
Here is today’s question.
Should the county government use AI (artificial intelligence) to support the work of county employees? If so, how?
Fatmata Barrie (D)
AI is here to stay and as a county we have to acknowledge that while ensuring our government uses it responsibly. We need to take into account the faults of AI including racial discrimination, false results and the environmental impact of AI. AI has the ability to discern and calculate data at a rate far quicker than humans. I believe using AI to support our county’s data efforts and support staff efficiency, could be beneficial. However, we must ensure we are not using AI to replace workers.
Josie Caballero (D)
I have made clear I am opposed to the building of AI Data Centers in Montgomery County unless it uses 100% green energy and I among the vast majority of Americans who are both skeptical of AI and the fact that this is a technology that has been foisted upon us, and that we have systems little ready to regulate what is fast becoming a technology that is found not just in professionals settings, but in every day life.
I believe that, as public policymakers, we must study and publicly debate issues such as emerging technologies. If elected, I will engage in a rigorous debate to discuss whether or not we should incorporate AI into the county workforce, and if we ultimately come to a yes, what parameters, safeguards, etc., will we implement. However, I am opposed to automation in safety and automotive and train operations.
This is not a simple yes or no question, but I acknowledge that we need to debate the use of AI in public service, publicly and openly, so that we can decide the best path forward.
Radwan Chowdhury (D)
Yes, I support using AI to improve efficiency, service delivery, and data analysis.
AI can streamline permitting, improve customer service response times, and enhance data-driven decision-making. It can also help identify inefficiencies and improve resource allocation.
However, implementation must include strong safeguards for privacy, transparency, and accountability. AI should support—not replace—public servants.
Marc Elrich (D)
Yes, but carefully. We have started training employees to use the tools that come with AI so this can be integrated into work. We can use AI to automate tasks, particularly routine repetitive tasks. AI can make people more productive and give them access to more information that can be useful in decision making, but we also know the pitfalls. AI hallucinations are real, inaccuracies or unverified information can be a problem, so we really need to be trained to not only find answers, but also in how to evaluate the answers that AI is giving us. AI is not going away and we have to make sure that when using it we also have the skills to evaluate the validity of answers.
Dana Gassaway (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Scott Goldberg (D)
NOTE: this answer is direct from Gemini using the question as a prompt and including “in Montgomery County, Maryland” —
County governments should absolutely use AI, focusing on efficiency and employee support rather than replacement. By 2026, the standard is a “human-in-the-loop” model that automates administrative friction.
Key Applications
- Case Management: AI can summarize social work histories, flag missing documentation, and draft follow-up reminders, allowing staff to focus on client interaction.
- Public Works: Predictive algorithms analyze sensor and image data to identify potholes or bridge fatigue before they become costly emergencies.
- Permitting & Zoning: AI pre-screens applications for basic compliance, slashing backlogs and freeing clerks for complex reviews.
- Internal Productivity: “Internal Copilots” help employees query complex county codes and transcribe public hearings instantly.
Implementation Pillars
To succeed, counties must prioritize:
- Data Governance: Ensuring data is clean and secure.
- Bias Mitigation: Regular audits to prevent discriminatory outcomes in hiring or benefits.
- Transparency: Maintaining a public registry of AI tools to preserve citizen trust.
By treating AI as a “digital assistant,” counties can combat staffing shortages and improve service delivery without sacrificing the human judgment essential to local governance.
Hamza Khan (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Matt Losak (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Jim McNulty (D)
Yes, AI should be implemented to increase the productivity and efficiency of County staff, but it must be done strategically and with appropriate guardrails.
The most immediate opportunity is in permitting and regulatory review. AI can flag incomplete applications faster, route projects to the right reviewers, and eliminate the weeks-long delays that drive up construction costs and push businesses to neighboring counties. That alone would have a measurable economic impact.
County employees can use AI tools to draft routine correspondence, synthesize public comment on legislation, and identify patterns in service requests that reveal systemic issues. The 311 system is an obvious candidate for AI-assisted triage.
I’d also support piloting AI-assisted fraud detection in procurement and benefits administration — county programs with high transaction volumes where small inefficiencies or errors compound into significant waste.
What I would not do is use AI to replace frontline human services staff or make consequential decisions about residents without human review. AI should make county employees more effective, not make residents feel like they’re dealing with a machine.
Jeremiah Pope (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Laurie-Anne Sayles (D-Incumbent)
AI should never replace public servants or reduce accountability, but it can improve efficiency and strengthen service delivery when used responsibly. As a member of the Economic Development Committee, I focus on careful oversight, responsible deployment, and real economic opportunity for Montgomery County.
We are well-positioned to lead. Through the University of Maryland’s partnership anchored at the Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda and the County’s AI Innovation Center, we are building a regional hub for applied, responsible AI. My role is to ensure these investments support job growth, attract businesses, and deliver measurable benefits to residents.
Within government, AI can help staff handle routine administrative work such as drafting correspondence, summarizing reports, organizing budget data, and improving response times. It can also identify permitting delays, flag inefficiencies, and analyze service trends so managers can make better decisions.
At the same time, strong guardrails are essential. That means protecting resident data, ensuring transparency, and maintaining oversight so AI does not drive decisions about housing, benefits, public safety, or enforcement.
Used appropriately, AI can strengthen our workforce, improve performance, and support economic development while keeping human judgment at the center of public service.
Prabu Selvam (D)
Every aspect of our lives is already touched by AI, including when it comes to deeply personal and highly sensitive decisions such as in healthcare. Hospitals are already using AI tools, and I have personally seen the potential benefit to patients, especially when it comes to early diagnosis and treatment of potentially dangerous conditions.
There is no doubt that when used ethically and with oversight by highly trained staff, AI can help us achieve greater equity, efficiency, and transparency. Our residents deserve a county government that is responsive to their needs and provides the best service possible. We must take advantage of the benefits that AI has to offer, but with a thoughtful and clear-headed approach that eliminates harm and protects our workers.
Karla Silvestre (D)
Yes, with clear guardrails and a focus on practical use. AI should help county employees handle routine tasks more efficiently so they can spend more time working directly with residents and solving problems.
It can be used to summarize public input, improve customer service response times, translate information, and identify service gaps. Those are practical uses that can make government more responsive and easier to navigate.
At the same time, we need strong protections around privacy, data security, bias, and transparency. AI should not replace human judgment or accountability, especially in decisions that affect housing, public safety, or access to services.
The goal should be better service for residents. If AI helps us deliver that, we should use it. If it creates risk or confusion, we should not.
Steve Solomon (D)
It’s 2026. Everyone uses AI now. Sadly AI is eliminating jobs across numerous sectors in the US, but if it can help increase services and efficiencies and help our county government, then it should be used. AI should support and bolster human employees, not eliminate their jobs.
Lelia True (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Vicki Vergagni (D)
AI brings with it a number of environmental issues that we need to address before we go headlong into AI and then are captive. While it can support the work of County employees, it is very frustrating for a resident to be stuck with a robot that can respond only if the question is posed in “AI” terms. At this point, AI is still in its infancy, and we need to better understand when and how to use it before making that commitment.
Muhammad Arif Wali (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Sherwin Wells (R)
AI (artificial intelligence) is here and the county government should embrace the technology and use it increase productivity services to residents and support the work of county employees. The technology must be used responsibly and training is critical to protect (PII) personally identifiable information and data breaches.