Current Utilization of AI in Municipal Government

Several municipalities explored, or expressed an interest, as to how local officials can utilize AI. According to an October 2023 survey by Bloomberg Philanthropies, 96% of mayors have expressed interest in using generative AI. However, the same survey indicated that only 2% of them were actively implementing generative AI. At the same time, 69% reported that they were either exploring or testing the technology for their municipality. When asked what sectors of local government AI might be most useful for, the surveyed Mayors affirmed that they envisioned AI being of most use in the areas of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety. It’s important to note that while the use of generative AI within municipal government is just starting to take form, the concept of AI utilization in this sphere is not completely novel. For example, predictive AI has already been in use for years within local law enforcement agencies. One manifestation of this is in the form of automatic license plate readers. These readers are powered by the technology of perceptive AI and are used to help law enforcement officials locate stolen vehicles and decode license plates to help license plates might help to advance the investigation in some way.

The potential of AI for Local Governments

As communities have evolved over time, so have municipal governments. Artificial Intelligence (AI) contains tremendous potential to improve the lives of the residents within a municipality’s borders. AI may achieve this by improving government service efficiency, expanding the list of the services themselves, streamlining the process of service production, and helping local leaders to make data-informed decisions that maximize improvement for general quality of life. That being said, local governments sometimes lack the resources or the proper guidance required to harness emerging technologies such as AI in a safe and effective manner.

The amount of resources currently available for AI from federal and state governments is lacking, and it may be difficult for local officials and administrators to find the resources that are relevant to their work. This handbook will provide guidelines, best practices, sample applications, and risk assessment strategies in order to fill this void and assist with beginning the process of AI adoption and utilization for local governments.