Oakland is quietly incorporating AI into city work

Oakland is taking steps to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its city operations, aiming to enhance service delivery across departments. Over the past year, city officials have collaborated with a local university and formed a working group to explore AI applications. Deputy City Administrator Joe DeVries emphasized the importance of establishing security guidelines to mitigate risks associated with AI. The city has identified 30 potential use cases for AI, such as chatbots for resident inquiries and AI tools for monitoring police body camera footage. Although the city adopted guidelines for ethical AI use, instances of non-compliance have surfaced, including a failure to cite AI-generated content in official communications.

Oakland's approach includes an equity statement to ensure AI technologies minimize racial biases and protect residents' privacy. As Oakland moves forward with these initiatives, the city seeks to partner with tech companies to pilot AI tools and provide feedback before broader market release. The efforts reflect a cautious yet innovative approach to leveraging technology in local government operations.