Pflugerville approves SAFE resolution to set rules for AI and surveillance technology. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas —Pflugerville City Council has approved adopting new standards for how the city uses artificial intelligence and surveillance technology.
The move follows concerns over the city’s Flock cameras.
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Pflugerville City Council has approved adopting new standards for how the city uses artificial intelligence and surveillance technology. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
After concerns over Pflugerville’s Flock license plate cameras, city leaders began looking at new safeguards for how technology is used.
The plan is called SAFE, short for Secure, Accountable, Fair, and Explainable.
“The SAFE Act will really let residents have a lot of transparency, accountability, and an ongoing say in how the city uses technology,” Council member Jonathan Coffman said. “Whether it’s AI or whatever may come in the future. And it really sets guardrails.”
The plan is called SAFE, short for Secure, Accountable, Fair, and Explainable. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Austin already has something similar called the TRUSTAct.
But there are some key differences.
Austin’s rules are written into city code and focus on surveillance technology.
Austin already has something similar called the TRUST Act. (City of Austin)
Pflugerville’s approach is broader, covering artificial intelligence and other technology the city may use in the future.
“It’s more of a framework type of approach,” Coffman said. “And so it should protect all citizens very similarly to Austin’s Trust Act. So it goes beyond that in some ways.”
Coffman said SAFE would prohibit facial recognition and biometric identification.
It also calls for a person to remain responsible for decisions made using AI.
Coffman said SAFE would prohibit facial recognition and biometric identification. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
And residents would be able to go online to see what technology the city uses and how their information is handled.
Another difference is how the rules are put in place.
Austin’s TRUST Act is an ordinance that establishes requirements for reviewing surveillance technology.
Pflugerville’s SAFE approach uses a resolution to establish standards for city departments.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Pflugerville resident David Armisted said. “Council member Coffman brought it to the table. He’s in there. He brought it to the table. It’s a great first step.”
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Pflugerville’s SAFE approach uses a resolution to establish standards for city departments. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Coffman also wants residents involved in future decisions.
He’s pushing for a separate, resident-led commission that would help review how the city uses technology.
“I really think it sets us up for success in how we use technology to make sure that our city employees, our police department, have the tools they need to do their jobs really effectively and really efficiently,” Coffman said. “But we’re also protecting our residents.”
The goal is to give the city room to use new technology while giving residents more transparency about how it’s being used.
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