Seattle unveils responsible AI plan with 40 priority projects

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has unveiled a comprehensive “responsible AI plan” designed to guide the city’s artificial intelligence use while positioning Seattle as a leader in the AI economy. The initiative includes frameworks for AI deployment in city operations, employee training programs, and strategic partnerships with local tech companies to tackle urban challenges like permitting delays and traffic safety.

What you should know: Seattle is leveraging its position as the second-ranked city for AI talent to create a balanced approach to AI adoption in municipal operations.
• The city has identified 40 priority projects where AI could improve government performance and public services, with 15 pilot partnerships already launched.
• Rob Lloyd, Seattle’s chief technology officer, emphasized the city’s AI assets: “We have some of the most remarkable AI assets in the country and world right here in Seattle.”
• Seattle claims to be the first U.S. city to issue a generative AI policy in fall 2023, establishing “human-in-the-loop” oversight requirements.

Key partnerships in action: The city is testing AI solutions across multiple departments through strategic collaborations with startups and tech giants.
• CivCheck, a startup, is helping streamline building permits by scanning thousands of applications for common errors, with the goal of reducing permitting times by half.
• A partnership with C3.ai, Microsoft, and the Department of Transportation analyzes near-miss road incidents to prevent accidents and fatalities.
• Chatbot technology from Gooey.ai and Rockefeller Center is being tested to provide customer service in 50 languages.

The big picture: Seattle is taking a measured approach that prioritizes public trust while harnessing AI’s potential to address major urban challenges.
• The city has prohibited certain AI applications, including facial recognition and hiring processes, due to performance and bias concerns.
• Lloyd stressed that the intention isn’t workforce replacement: “We want to be responsive to where our employees are being overwhelmed, where the community has a lot of demand.”
• Other Washington cities are following suit, with Bellevue piloting Govstream.ai for permitting and seven local governments using Aurelian’s voice technology for 911 non-emergency calls.

Community engagement initiative: Seattle launched a Community Innovation Hackathon series at the AI House startup hub to crowdsource solutions for city challenges.
• The inaugural Youth Connector Hackathon focuses on better connecting students with the city’s 15 youth programs offering mental health and support services.
• Upcoming hackathons will address city permitting (October 9) and customer service reimagining (early November).
• Leah Tivoli, Seattle’s director of Innovation and Performance, expressed curiosity about community solutions: “I’m really curious to see what solutions are cringy, what solutions are exciting, and really get their perspectives.”

What they’re saying: City leaders emphasize the importance of intentional partnership with the AI sector.
• “If we’re very astute and very effective, Seattle is going to be very, very prosperous in this AI economy,” Lloyd noted.
• The city wants to “march right alongside” AI players because “it doesn’t just happen organically. People have to be good partners and intentional and purposeful in making sure that occurs.”
• Lloyd highlighted trust as the foundation: “There’s a lot of things that we can do successfully using the [AI] tools, but trust is our first measure.”