Already, governments across America and around the world are beginning to see how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help them continue to serve their citizens better and faster, while maximizing their limited resources. We’ve seen this happen at the federal level with initiatives charging cabinet agencies to deploy AI in new innovative ways. Increasingly, AI’s potential is now also coming into focus for local governments. Whether tackling everyday needs more efficiently like fixing potholes, or confronting complex challenges like addressing threats to public health, AI can significantly enhance the ability of local governments to fulfill their missions.
However, not all cities are utilizing or have access to AI. This risks turning the digital divide that has plagued many cities into an “AI divide,” with potentially even more profound impacts on communities.
To ensure the opportunities of AI are widely accessible, Google has partnered with the National League of Cities (NLC) to launch a new AI Toolkit. With AI explainers, examples of how other cities have leveraged AI, and step-by-step guides to help cities interested in exploring AI strategies, the Toolkit is designed to help city governments across the US harness the power of AI to enhance public services and improve the quality of life for residents.
The opportunities are exciting. With the help of AI, we have seen incredible progress in breaking down language barriers with Google Translate, providing early warnings of natural disasters with Flood Hub and FireSat, and helping local businesses reach new customers. But perhaps the biggest opportunity AI presents is to help city governments streamline operations and better meet the needs of their constituents.
This toolkit builds on our continued work to deliver on our AI Opportunity Agenda, supporting governments in focusing not only on harms to avoid and risks to mitigate – but on opportunities to seize. Responsible and bold AI innovation that promotes public trust and adoption continues to be our focus at Google. Guided by our AI Principles, we continue to work in collaboration with industry partners, academia, and governments worldwide to develop and deploy AI with a focus on building solutions for society’s biggest challenges.
AI is positioned to help NLC members improve the lives of their residents in a myriad of ways – from the everyday to the extraordinary.
We are excited to partner with the National League of Cities, providing tools, resources, and expertise to help its members leverage AI in ways that meet the unique needs of their communities.
Read more about the Toolkit and access it here.