AI Guidelines

LGITSA has published Local Government Generative AI Guidelines, promoting sector-wide awareness of safe and responsible AI use while preventing data breaches.

Generative AI is increasingly used in Local Government to streamline processes, boost productivity, and generate content. While promising, it comes with legal, ethical, and practical considerations that must be understood alongside its benefits.

The development of the Guidelines comes in support of the South Australian Government’s Guideline for the Use of Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence Tools and Utilities. The SA Guideline was developed to assist SA Government agencies to understand the limitations and risks associated with the use of Large Language Model (LLM) Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

The SA Guideline only applies to State Government agencies and personnel, however, there are valuable takeaways for the Local Government sector.  As such, LGITSA is now preparing this Guideline with a specific focus on the Local Government context. 

The emergence of DeepSeek, a foreign-owned open-source AI model, in early 2025 has raised concerns about data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance for Australian councils. While the Australian Federal and South Australian Governments have banned its use due to security risks, South Australian councils must make their own decisions regarding its adoption.

This advisory provides clear guidance to help Councils understand the risks associated with DeepSeek, including its official website, self-hosted versions, and third-party integrations. It outlines recommended steps to prevent unauthorised use, enforce security controls, and strengthen AI governance.

LGITSA encourages all South Australian councils to review this guidance and adopt proactive measures to protect community data.