Holmes County explores expanded use of artificial intelligence

With the coming of a new year for Holmes County, the county commissioners are taking steps toward a new endeavor they hope will benefit the county government, its employees and the people of Holmes County.

The commissioners are moving toward artificial intelligence.

“In 2026 we are going to expand our HR department to include AI, which none of us know anything about, but we’re going to learn,” Commissioner Chair Joe Miller said. “It’s here. Some of it’s great, some good to use and some of it isn’t.”

Misty Burns, Holmes County human resources director, will head up the effort to implement AI, and she said it should eventually be of great benefit for the county.

She said the board of commissioners came to her to discuss the possibilities AI presents, and she said AI is another facet that fits perfectly into the HR department.

“It’s to ensure that we utilize technology to enhance our human capital that are already here, to continue to serve the public in the most efficient and effective manner, and so with that, we want to ensure that we have proper policy in place to make sure we are looking at specific technology that will enhance our services to the public sector while at the same time maintaining security of sensitive county data,” Burns said.

She said she and many others are excited about the opportunities AI offers and to learn more of how to adapt that technology and content to best serve the county.

Miller said the proper use of AI will serve in one very important factor.

“Our responsibility is to keep the people of Holmes County safe,” he said. “We feel this is going to be an important part of that, and we want to be proactive rather than reactive on it.”

Miller said the world is moving forward with AI, and technology is only going to continue to advance in this area, so the county has an opportunity to step into a new and exciting world.

Commissioner Dave Hall commended Miller and Burns for taking the proper steps in pursuing this effort on behalf of the county and its people.

He said there are laws and changes taking place so rapidly in the state right now that the use of AI products can further what the board of commissioners and HR can do for the county.

Burns said the initial step in proceeding is to ensure the county has a proper policy in place the commissioners feel good about rolling out to the rest of the county departments.

She said what follows will be plenty of designed trainings about AI and how it can be effective for different job tasks within the various county departments.

She said once the county gets further into the use of AI, it will be a matter of evaluating how the HR department can best aid the other county departments in utilizing it.

Burns said one way AI is already being used is through Commissioner Clerk Susan Schie, who takes voice recordings during every board meeting. Schie is now able to transcribe minutes through AI, recreating accurate minutes of each meeting without tying up tons of her time.

“It actually gives the public more robust minutes to see what we are discussing in this room while streamlining her time,” Burns said.

Miller said the implementation of AI and its many uses will help serve the county while aiding the people of the county government who care about doing the right thing in the proper way.