District 6 Council Member Wala Blegay has sponsored a resolution, CR-61-2024, that would establish an Artificial Intelligence Task Force in Prince George’s County to ensure the county stays competitive, prepares its workforce, improves service delivery, and builds public trust in the AI era.
The Task Force would include representatives from the Council, Office of Information Technology, local tech businesses, local colleges, PGCPS, Chamber of Commerce, and Employ Prince George’s. Over the next year, it would explore key areas such as research and development, integration of AI in county services and the workforce, ethical guidelines and standards, economic impact, public engagement, and educational impact.
"As we embrace the era of AI, it is imperative for Prince George's County to proactively engage with this transformative technology to enhance government services, drive economic growth, and ensure a competitive edge,” said Council Member Blegay. “The Task Force represents a pivotal step towards harnessing the potential of AI to benefit our community and shape a brighter future for all county residents."
The measure was introduced on July 2, and has been referred to the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee for legislative review.
Also on July 2, Council Member Blegay introduced a bill that seeks more equitable procurement for local minority business owners.
The current county procurement process includes an exemption allowing contracts to be awarded to non-local businesses if the products, goods, or services sought by the county are funded with a grant. By removing this grant exemption, CB-60-2024 aims to create a level playing field for all businesses, fostering trust and transparency within the business community while promoting entrepreneurs based in Prince George’s County.
"As the former Chief Information Officer for Prince George's County and now the founder of one of the few black-owned AI firms in the nation, I have firsthand experience with procurement practices that, regrettably, sidestepped fairness in the pursuit of expediency,” said Vennard Wright, a business owner impacted by the current procurement process. “I established PerVista AI right here in Prince George’s County with a dual purpose: to create opportunities for local talent and to reinvest in my community. This legislation ensures that local firms like ours are given a fair chance to contribute and thrive within the place we proudly call home."
CB-60-2024 was also referred to the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee.