AI is using your local government’s website, and this could be a problem if the information on the website is inaccurate or outdated.

A recent article in GovExec reports that government websites often contain inaccuracies. This isn’t deliberate. Usually it’s because site information is outdated, or came from a third party and wasn’t thoroughly checked, or someone made an honest mistake or typo.

This is a big problem for AI, because AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. “Garbage in, garbage out,” as they say.

That’s why it is so important for local governments to make sure the information on their websites is accurate and up-to-date.

Here are some things that local governments can do to improve the accuracy of the information on their websites:

• Review and update website content regularly. This includes reviewing the content of all pages on the website, as well as any blog posts or social media posts.
• Use a content management system (CMS) that makes it easy to update website content. A CMS will allow local government staff to update the website without having to know how to code.
• Use fact-checking tools to verify the accuracy of information before it is published on the website. There are a number of fact-checking tools available online.
• Make it easy for users to report inaccurate information. Local governments should provide ways for users to report inaccurate information on their website. For instance, a contact form, a feedback button, or a social media post.

How accurate is your local government’s website?

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