Building AI readiness & literacy with in-person workshops
NCSC consultants Marie Contreras and Michael Navin build foundational AI understanding and help organizations establish governance and policy considerations during in-person workshops.
NCSC workshop offers interactive instruction for foundational learning, policy development
NCSC recently partnered with the Dallas County (Texas) Clerk's Office to deliver an AI Readiness & Literacy Workshop for leadership and key stakeholders. The hands-on, interactive workshop helped participants build a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence, establish governance and policy considerations, and identify practical opportunities for responsible AI adoption within court operations.
"This workshop shed much-needed light on how to prepare for the inevitable landing of 'Hurricane AI,'" said Dallas County Clerk John F. Warren. "The workshop pooled thoughts and suggestions, allowing us to collaboratively begin formulating a plan to determine which programs meet individual department needs, how to prepare to safely implement AI, and what efficiencies we look forward to seeing as a return on this necessary investment. In Dallas County, we are now able to move forward collectively by creating an AI policy that meets those objectives that we struggled to initially understand."
The workshop covered a range of topics, including:
- AI fundamentals and plain-language explanations of artificial intelligence and generative AI
- Opportunities and risks associated with AI in the courts
- AI governance structures, roles, and responsibilities
- AI literacy and change management considerations
- Operational pain points and evaluating where AI may provide value
The day-long workshop gave participants an opportunity to use AI tools to develop draft governance documents and policy language in real time. This approach not only produced useful organizational artifacts but also demonstrated practical and responsible AI use.
Participants gained increased AI literacy and governance awareness, along with draft documents outlining:
- AI guiding principles
- An internal AI use policy
- An inventory of organizational pain points and opportunities
- A framework for evaluating future AI initiatives, including potential governance team/committee structures with a kick-off meeting agenda
"Successful AI adoption begins with governance, literacy, and thoughtful planning rather than technology alone," said co-instructor Michael Navin. "Participants left with a practical roadmap for evaluating future AI opportunities while maintaining public trust, accountability, and operational effectiveness."
Regardless of the industry you work in, artificial intelligence will touch your environment, if it hasn't already. I strongly believe that embracing AI at an early stage will allow you to participate in crafting rules, policies, and appropriate business processes for usage in your environment.
John F. Warren
Dallas County Clerk
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