Washington County Considers Formalizing AI Surveillance Guardrails

Thurston County commissioners are looking into regulating the acquisition and use of AI-enabled surveillance technology.
Commissioner Carolina Mejia presented a draft ordinance aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing incremental approval without board knowledge.
The draft ordinance does not seek to expand surveillance or endorse specific technologies or vendors.
Mejia emphasizes the need for intentional governance and transparency in AI-enabled surveillance systems due to their rapidly integrating capabilities.
The board unanimously agreed to have county staff work on a detailed proposal in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders.
Mejia’s draft ordinance draws inspiration from Washington State Technology Services guidance, Washington State Attorney General’s AI Task Force, and other towns’ surveillance regulation frameworks.
The next phase of the proposal will focus on implementation and privacy concerns, especially regarding data retention, protection, and company control.
The proposed ordinance aims to ensure ethical and transparent use of AI-enabled surveillance technologies while respecting civil liberties and constitutional requirements.
It bans specific uses like real-time facial recognition in public spaces, AI profiling or discrimination, predictive policing, and covert AI surveillance.
Offices must submit surveillance impact and annual surveillance reports detailing technological use, privacy impact assessments, and data management practices.

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