Building Your AI Policy: A Practical Guide for Public Health Departments
Creating an AI policy doesn’t have to be complicated. This comprehensive AI policy guide for public health helps health departments develop clear, practical frameworks for using generative AI tools safely and effectively. Whether your agency is just starting to explore AI or already has staff using tools like ChatGPT and Claude, you need an AI policy that fits your organization’s unique needs, capacity, and risk tolerance.
Most AI policy templates are written for private companies or federal agencies. This guide is built specifically for local and state public health departments, addressing the real-world constraints you face: limited IT resources, HIPAA compliance requirements, tight budgets, and the need to move quickly while staying secure.
The AI policy guide walks you through 12 essential components, from defining scope and coverage to establishing governance frameworks. Each section includes practical questions to discuss with your team and templates for writing policy language that works for your agency. You’ll cover critical areas including data privacy and security, tool approval processes, training requirements, permitted and prohibited uses, and ethical considerations—all tailored to the unique environment of public health work.
This resource is designed for public health leaders, IT directors, privacy officers, and anyone responsible for creating or implementing AI governance in health departments. No AI expertise required—just a commitment to helping your team use these powerful tools responsibly.
