SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Assessor's Office has adopted a formal policy governing the use of artificial intelligence by the department's employees, Assessor Dennis Engelhardt said Tuesday.

"Although AI has been shown to contribute to productivity and bring convenience to data searches, it can also, as in the case of many technologies foster dependence at the expense of contemplation and reasoning," Engelhardt said. "The purpose of our new policy is to set parameters as to what is and is not permitted when applying AI to assessor-related tasks."

The policy outlines when AI is allowed — and when it is not. AI should be supportive and not substitutive, and privacy should be paramount in any possible use of artificial intelligence.

"AI may assist with research but never be relied upon as a definitive, sole source on which to base actions or decisions affecting work products," Engelhardt said in the release.

Reflecting his longstanding commitment to safeguard property-owner privacy, Engelhardt said he's already refused to allow drone imagery in assessments. Likewise, the policy prohibits any AI application that compromises personal or property data in contradiction to state statutes.

In addition, use of the technology should show transparency and oversight by human and any documents created completely with an AI application must disclose its origins.

All documents solely the created product of AI shall disclose such either through plain text or a "watermark" approved by the county's IT department.

While the Assessor's Office already has access to several firms offering AI capabilities, Engelhardt said he will rely on its IT department for recommendations on both options and use.

Engelhardt said his staff will receive continuing education, either through the assessor's office or IT department "to ensure responsible, knowledgeable and ethical use of these emerging tools."

A summary of the policy will be published on the Assessor's Office website. Any feedback or comment on the policy is welcome, Engelhardt said.

For additional information, contact: Bonner County Assessor's Office Phone at 208-265-1440, via email at [email protected], or online at bonnercountyid.gov/county-assessor.