These pilot programs suggest AI can support good government.

By Leah Lacivita, Municipal Research & Services Center

Across the U.S., local and state governments are getting a feel for how artificial intelligence (AI) can help them in analytics, surveillance, operations, modeling, and more. A June 2025 report by MissionSquare Research Institute found that almost half of state and local government employees in the U.S. have used AI for work—although some reported concerns such as data privacy, security, reliability, and the possibility that AI might displace their jobs. Given the limited resources local governments have to draw from, more will be exploring the potential for AI to make services more efficient and sustainable for the long-term—and not just with writing administrative tasks. Here’s a snapshot of how governments in Washington state and elsewhere are using AI to accomplish a variety of ends.

AI analyzes driving trends, smartphone maps, and model traffic patterns to make recommendations for traffic signal timing changes...resulting in improved traffic flow and reduced idling.”

Managing traffic control

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, each gallon of gasoline burned produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, which can build up at stoplights and cause pollution hot spots. Seattle has an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 58% by 2030, and tackling congestion hot spots can play a role in this effort. It has become the first U.S.–based city to use Google’s Green Light technology to manage traffic signal timing. Green Light’s AI analyzes driving trends, smartphone maps, and model traffic patterns to make recommendations for traffic signal timing changes. In 2024, Seattle identified and made changes to three major intersections in largely residential neighborhoods, resulting in improved traffic flow and reduced idling. The city plans to extend the program in 2025 to an industrial area that houses several sports stadiums and transportation hubs.

Improving emergency response

Multi Agency Communications Center (MACC) 911 in Grant County launched an AI system in May 2024 to free up dispatchers to address emergency calls, speed up the response time for non-emergency calls, and offer bilingual (English and Spanish) call support. Because 911 call volumes spike during emergency events, call centers need to quickly determine which callers are experiencing actual emergencies and which are reporting on or seeking information about the event. AI-powered call diversion can filter out non-emergency calls before they reach a dispatcher, as well as aggregate geographic data of callers to help pinpoint the location generating the most calls.

When an individual calls MACC’s 911 line with a nonemergency, the AI asks the caller a series of questions and creates a report that is sent to a MACC dispatcher, who can then determine what type of follow-up is needed. If the report is unclear, dispatchers can consult the call transcript and recording. The system also allows callers with cell phones to share their location and stream live video to dispatchers.

Preventing homelessness

Family Promise of Pierce County (Family Promise) implemented a new AI-based system that combines intake assessment, resource application, occupational service assistance, inter-system communications, and remote client support to help individuals quickly access a variety of social services available to them. Pierce County has a countywide intake system, but bottlenecks develop when there are more people applying for services than social workers able to process incoming applications.

Applicants can complete Family Promise’s electronic intake assessment, which uses AI to generate a report detailing the individual’s needs and suggesting referral services, simplifying the process for the social worker. The system also stored frequently needed client paperwork, such as consent forms, and digital e-signatures.

Final thought

While there is considerable hype around AI adoption, a public agency should conduct the same thoughtful analysis of the potential risks and rewards that it would before adopting any new technology. Topics local governments should think about before employing AI include public records considerations as well as privacy, transparency, and cybersecurity concerns.

MRSC Communications Coordinator Leah LaCivita, who serves as the editor and manager for MRSC’s blog and biannual print newsletter, writes on a variety of topics and develops website content.