“[Jitterbit] has a new artificial intelligence tool that will give us some efficiencies while not having to hire additional staff through the speed of using AI,” said Jeremy Scrime, senior programmer analyst with the Warren County IT department.
Warren County currently uses around 80 web-based apps performing assignments across more than 20 county departments including building permits and renewals, certificates of occupancy, real-estate tax collection, repossessing property, and more.
Scrime described the new Jitterbit AI software as a “programmers interface” that writes code for several departments.
“It’s a low code tool that we use throughout the county for 80 different applications written for various departments and enterprise-wide systems. We’re rolling out new contract request processes, and we’re adding in procedures and policies so that we have a central location,” Scrime explained of the wide-ranging tasks AI will help aid. “We have applications for the Department of Public Works, Human Resources, the treasurer, pretty much all the departments.”
Warren County’s web applications must work properly and at a high rate since a bulk of the government’s business is conducted on them, including by both county residents and county employees.
The county’s current contract with Jitterbit is for five years totaling $120,000, however, the new amended contract means that the total will not exceed $140,000, with a first-year trial run for the new AI coding interface for $2,500 and a possible second year for $10,000, according to Scrime.
“If we use the software and we find it useful, then we can sign on without having to come back for the additional two years,” Scrime said. “The money for the first year is in our budget.”
Consolidating the government’s work using this one AI system is a better option than each department going out and contracting with individual vendor systems for almost $50,000 a year for each, according to Scrime.
Back in May, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to enhance investment in AI research for public good, which would “establish first-in-the-nation safeguards for novel AI companion systems,” Governor Hochul’s office said in a statement.
“Whoever leads in the AI revolution will lead the next generation of innovation and progress, and we’re making sure New York State is on the front lines,” Governor Hochul said back in May. “With these bold initiatives, we are making sure our state leads the nation in both innovation and accountability. New York is not just keeping pace with the AI revolution — we are setting the standard for how it should be done.”
Warren County Administrator John Taflan added, “The state of New York is encouraging all counties to start considering the use of artificial intelligence in many of the services we provide. There are a lot of services we provide that artificial intelligence can enhance the things that we do.”
Up to this point, Warren County has been strategically cautious toward the advancement of artificial intelligence.
“We’ve been pretty conservative in our approach. Some counties have gone out and invested a lot more money in AI tools,” Taflan said. “I think the $140,000 over five years is a good approach to get us started with this, but it’ll enhance the ability for anything from services provided by DMV to services provided by public health, other organizations, other agencies.”
Additionally, Scrime warned that AI is evolving at an exceptionally high rate and could eventually touch all major businesses and networks.
“It’s very young, but it’s accelerating — the adoption and growth of it is pretty scary,” Scrime said of AI.
“Six months ago, this [AI] program was as smart as an average high school student. This next iteration is as smart as a PhD in every subject across the board,” Scrime explained. “As it continues to evolve, it’ll be adaptive, so it will start suggesting things that you can do, rather than you telling it what to do.”
“Customer service call centers, they’re all channeling through AI, and it’s becoming smarter to the point where it’s disruptive for a lot of industries,” Scrime concluded.
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