POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Dutchess County Legislature Chair Yvette Valdés Smith (D-Fishkill) announced the launch of a standing committee on Artificial Intelligence and Technology Oversight. This month, Assistant Majority Leader Kris Munn (D-Red Hook) introduced a resolution to create the new committee, citing the speed with which AI is disrupting every aspect of society, including government.
The resolution passed the Government Services and Administration Committee (10-1) on the same day news broke of a planned AI Data Center in East Fishkill, and advanced to pass (16 -8) the full legislature Monday night. The AI Data Center in East Fishkill would consume an estimated 1 gigawatt of power per day, roughly equal to the entire energy output of the Cricket Valley power plant in Dover.
"When government adopts powerful new technologies, the public has a right to know what those technologies are, what they do, and who is responsible for them,” said Legislator Munn. “Whether it is artificial intelligence or surveillance tools, this new committee is how the Dutchess County Legislature makes good on that obligation."
Legislator Brendan Lawler (D-Hyde Park), Chair of the Legislature’s Budget Committee, added, ”County workers are too important to functional government to be replaced by AI for the sake of claimed efficiency. When it comes to using County services, residents want to interact with people, not chatbots. Forming this committee will protect our workforce and keep County government accessible to residents.”
“I applaud Legislator Munn for moving swiftly to address this urgent issue,” said Chair Valdés Smith. “AI isn’t coming; it’s already here, and the government needs to know the right questions to ask and how to distinguish facts from fearmongering. The diversity of our caucus means each of us brings different experiences and expertise to the Chamber. As someone who has spent his career working in tech, Legislator Munn and the legislature’s new oversight committee will ensure that AI usage serves the best interests of Dutchess County residents–and not the other way around.”
