Can You Paste Munis Data into ChatGPT? Safe AI Practices for City Staff

Navigating AI with Tyler Munis: Risks and Best Practices

As municipalities increasingly embrace AI, city staff face complex questions about data security, especially when considering pasting Tyler Munis data into tools like ChatGPT. With AI's potential to transform operations, understanding the risks and setting clear guidelines is crucial.

Why Pasting Munis Data into ChatGPT Is Risky

While ChatGPT offers powerful capabilities, pasting Tyler Munis data into it involves risks that are not immediately apparent. Even aggregate financial data may still contain non-public information due to its context or potential to reveal sensitive insights when combined with other data.

Public Record vs. Non-Public Data: Understanding the Difference

City staff often assume that if data is a public record, it’s safe to use in any context. However, not all data exported from Munis is public. Financial exports might contain confidential details due to aggregation, project-specific insights, or budget implications not fully disclosed in public records.

Creating a Safe Default AI Policy

• Determine which data types are considered public and which are not.
• Set guidelines for data handling across departments to prevent unauthorized use.
• Ensure that any AI tools used are approved with the right data-handling terms.
• Educate staff about potential risks and safe data practices.
• Implement monitoring to regularly check compliance with the policy.

The Role of Approved, Non-Public AI Tools

Utilizing AI tools that have the right data-handling agreements in place is essential. Approved tools should ensure data confidentiality and comply with municipal regulations, reducing the risk of exposure when handling sensitive information from systems like Tyler Munis.

Avoiding Pitfalls by Setting Clear Policies

By establishing and enforcing clear policies, municipalities can prevent data breaches and misuse. These guidelines help staff navigate new technologies responsibly, minimizing the risk of inadvertently sharing sensitive information.

Empower Your Team with AI Literacy

Educating city staff about AI usage and setting robust policies are vital steps in leveraging AI responsibly. By understanding the risks and implementing safe practices, municipalities can harness AI's potential without compromising data security.