Perspectives
Moving Boldly, Responsibly: Our Vision for AI in Local Government
Artificial intelligence can reduce repetitive work, surface insight buried in data, and free assessors and tax collectors to focus on the judgment-driven work only people can do. But local government also requires something more from AI: trust.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing what is possible in software, and I believe we are only beginning to understand the magnitude of that change.
At Harris Govern, we don’t view AI as simply another feature to add to our products. We see it as a fundamental shift in how technology is built, how work is performed, and how technology partners can help clients better serve their communities.
For assessors, tax collectors, and the professionals who work alongside them, the opportunity is significant. AI can reduce repetitive work, uncover insights hidden within vast amounts of data, improve decision-making, and allow people to spend more time on the complex work that requires judgment, expertise, and human experience.
But local and county governments also require something more from AI: trust. Moving quickly cannot mean moving recklessly. The systems our clients operate contain sensitive information, support critical government functions, and directly affect the citizens and communities they serve. That means AI must be designed and deployed with security, transparency, governance, and human accountability built into its foundation.
For us, responsible AI means developing technology that augments the expertise of local government professionals rather than attempting to replace it.
AI can surface anomalies, identify trends, recommend actions, automate routine processes, and help people navigate increasingly complex information. Ultimately, people must remain in control of consequential decisions. I believe the organizations that thrive in this next era will be the ones willing to move boldly while maintaining that responsibility.
Our vision is not simply to incorporate AI into the technology we already provide. It is to rethink what property assessment and tax administration technology can become when modern cloud platforms, intelligent automation, data, and AI work together.
That transformation will not happen overnight. We will continue to learn, adapt, and evolve alongside our clients as the technology advances.
One thing is clear: the pace of change is accelerating. Our responsibility is to embrace that change, help lead our market through it, and ensure the future we build makes local government more efficient, more informed, and better equipped to serve the communities that depend on it.
— Chris Staunton, Executive Vice President, Harris Govern
Want to talk with our team about where AI fits in your office’s roadmap?