Can AI help us lead in 2025?

10 lessons from a year using ChatGPT in public service

By Joe Atkins | Dakota County Commissioner | February 2025

In January 2024, I embarked on a yearlong journey to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) tools – specifically ChatGPT – could enhance my work as chair of the Dakota County Board. Leading a fast-growing county of 455,000 residents demands immense time and energy, and I was curious: could AI boost productivity without compromising quality? The results surprised me, offering valuable insights into leadership, technology and human connection.

Amplifying productivity and creativity – Throughout the year, ChatGPT helped me craft 33 speeches, 24 newsletters, 12 newspaper columns and 91 social media posts. Among the highlights was carrying out a cohesive campaign to call attention to Dakota County’s groundbreaking achievement as the first U.S. county able to generate more electricity from renewable energy sources than our county buildings and facilities consume. By streamlining communication efforts, AI freed me to engage more directly with constituents, attend events and focus on policymaking.

Strengthening community engagement – AI-assisted content often performed as well as, or better than, my solo efforts. For instance, a December social media post about Dakota County’s superior financial rating – higher than 33 states and 181 nations – sparked significant engagement. ChatGPT not only drafted compelling text but also suggested an eye-catching image, transforming a dry topic into one that resonated with thousands of readers.

Striking the human-AI balance – While ChatGPT excelled at producing polished, structured content, it couldn’t replace the emotional depth needed for certain moments. At the October grand opening of Dakota County’s Veterans Memorial Greenway, for example, AI struggled to capture the profound sacrifices of local heroes in attendance. Personal anecdotes and heartfelt touches were indispensable.

Mastering the art of prompting – The quality of ChatGPT’s outputs heavily depended on how well I framed my prompts. For instance, when drafting a speech highlighting Dakota County’s national awards in public safety, health and infrastructure – all achieved while maintaining Minnesota’s lowest taxes – precise instructions made all the difference.
Navigating ethical considerations – Transparency was key. I openly shared with constituents that I was experimenting with AI to enhance efficiency and free up more time for direct service. I also never shared constituent data or identifying information with ChatGPT. At its core, AI is a tool – like a pen or a computer – and its ethical use depends on the person wielding it.

Recognizing AI’s limitations – AI wasn’t without its flaws. Its outputs occasionally lacked nuance or accuracy, underscoring the importance of thorough fact-checking and incorporating local context.

Supporting, not leading, policy – I never used AI to create policy, but it supported research efforts. For example, ChatGPT helped me explore innovative ways to keep libraries relevant in a digital age. Together with recommendations from expert library staff, Dakota County expanded self-service hours, launched a new, highly popular branch, and eliminated outdated fines, earning the county the title of Minnesota’s Best Library System from Minnesota Star Tribune readers.
Preparing for the future – This experiment highlighted AI’s potential to improve governance, from policy research to service delivery. However, it also underscored the need for human oversight. No tool can replace insights from constituents, colleagues, staff and stakeholders.

Discovering AI’s sense of humor – Surprisingly, ChatGPT’s light and positive humor often aligned with my own, making collaboration enjoyable. While neither of us will write for “Saturday Night Live,” this shared tone helped make complex topics more accessible and engaging for audiences.

Reflecting on impact – AI encouraged clearer, more consistent communication, particularly on complex topics like county finances. This experience reaffirmed that leadership is fundamentally about connection, trust and vision, qualities that no AI can replicate.

The surprise ending – The entirety of the column above was composed by ChatGPT and it illustrates both the best and worst of AI. The best work that ChatGPT performed for me in 2024 occurred when I used it essentially as a supercharged thesaurus. I would draft material for speeches, newsletters and social media, then sometimes run the text through ChatGPT to see if it generated better word choices or phrasing. Occasionally it did, and it deserves credit for this. Typically, though, the tool merely rephrased or rearranged, with little difference or meaningful improvement. The worst part about ChatGPT was its misguided need to impress and exaggerate, to the point of inaccuracy. Using it for research proved even more futile, since the time it took me to fact-check AI’s sources exceeded any time it saved.

The bottom line – My yearlong experiment with ChatGPT kept reminding me of the famous Cliff Clavin character from the old TV show “Cheers”: fun to engage with but possessing an oversized ego too careless with facts to be reliable. Nonetheless, I remain hopeful AI will eventually help improve public service, making it more efficient, effective and accessible. Only time will tell. For now, I’m going to continue serving Dakota County and the folks I represent the same way I have for the past eight years, through old-fashioned hard work, staying in touch, and working together to get good things done.

Joe Atkins represents District 2 on the Dakota County Board, which includes South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. He welcomes feedback. To share comments, concerns or questions, contact him at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4430.

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