Surrey officials could be barred from using ChatGPT and Gemini under new AI rules
A draft policy sets out when artificial intelligence can and can't be used for local authority work
Elected members and staff in Surrey could soon be barred from using online AI tools such as Gemini and ChatGPT for local authority work under a new draft policy.
Surrey County Council has put forward its first formal policy setting out when it is and isn't appropriate to use artificial intelligence for council business.
The draft was reviewed by a council committee ahead of final approval.
It says AI users must only use approved tools and software for council business.
Gemini and ChatGPT are explicitly listed as examples of tools accessed directly via the internet, which would not be permitted under the new rules.
What the policy says
The policy said: "Where AI is used for general business purposes, users must use Microsoft Copilot Chat or Copilot 365 (or other SCC-authorised tools) rather than consumer tools such as Gemini or ChatGPT, due to data-security concerns."
It added: "Approved tools have been risk-assessed and have existing SCC guardrails and oversight."
Guidance on AI already existed for the council's members and officers, but this is the authority's first formal policy on the matter.
The policy lists a number of inappropriate uses of AI.
These include making decisions that affect people without human oversight, and generating false or misleading information.
It also prohibits AI use that results in discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics, breaches data protection or unlawfully accesses sensitive information.
The council says AI can be used within the rules to help with routine administrative tasks, such as summarising reports and scheduling meetings.
It can also be used to generate meeting minutes, as long as they are clearly labelled as AI-assisted.
Summarising public consultation responses and improving workflow efficiency are also on the list of approved uses.
According to the document, breaches of the rules would be treated as misconduct.
That could lead to disciplinary action for employees, or other contractual consequences for agency workers and contractors.
Committee recommendations
Surrey County Council's resources and performance select committee put forward recommendations on the policy.
These include sharing it with the future West and East Surrey councils, which will take over responsibility in April 2027.
The recommendations also called for the policy to be strengthened around training for the use of the technology, and for AI's environmental impact to be considered.
If adopted, the policy would be reviewed every year, or sooner if required.
That could include bringing it in line with any prospective national laws or regulations.
The policy is expected to be discussed and finalised by the council's cabinet, following the committee's recommendations.