Envisioning a new world (for cities), bravely.

Technology continues to change the world exponentially. Finding ways to safely and wisely incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into city governance represents an unprecedented challenge. AI can also evoke an emotional response for many. Having a foundational understanding of AI and pursuing thoughtful conversations can help ease concerns around this rapidly evolving field.

AI is a discipline of computer science that aims to create machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. The two most common forms of AI in use today are machine learning and generative AI.

While thinking about (and over-thinking about) AI can lead to existential questions, the bottom line is that AI is here now, and the sooner leaders can plot a path forward with that in mind, the better. Consider these two examples of how local governments are working toward thoughtful utilization of these new technologies.

The City of San Jose, Calif., has formed a Government AI Coalition it describes as being “composed of over 600 public servants from over 250 local, county, and state governments that represent over 150 million Americans across the nation, united in our mission to promote responsible and purposeful AI in the public sector.” That work has led to a set of Generative AI Guidelines that may be useful to consider (available for download at sanjoseca.gov).

Washington’s own largest city—Seattle—has also established a Responsible Artificial Intelligence Program (a synopsis is available at seattle.gov) and is involved with several regional and national collaborations to “develop and evolve approaches for using AI in a responsible manner.”

While thinking about (and overthinking about) AI can lead to existential questions, the bottom line is that AI is here now, and the sooner leaders can plot a path forward, the better.

There are, of course, many things to consider when developing policies and procedures around AI, including privacy and transparency, public records, security, and harm reduction or bias. Taking time and care when crafting your city’s process to explore and define these concerns as principles or guidelines can be illustrative. For example, the San Jose coalition includes equity as one of their guidelines:

Equity

AI system responses are based on patterns and relationships learned from large datasets derived from existing human knowledge, which may contain errors and is historically biased across race, sex, gender identity, ability, and many other factors. Users of generative AI need to be mindful that generative AI may make assumptions based on past stereotypes and need to be corrected. Establish guidelines to address equity as it relates to services in your department.

Tackling this elephant in the room will take all of us, and collaboration is a great way to put many minds to work on this pervasive and quickly evolving challenge.