Khaled Tawfik, Chief Information Officer of San José, USA, recently discussed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal the city’s pioneering efforts in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to improve government services. This tool is being implemented to increase efficiency, public communication, and productivity in governmental roles. San José’s pilot projects have included using AI to detect road hazards and abandoned vehicles, although they faced backlash over privacy concerns related to data on homeless individuals; in response, such data was removed from the experiment.
Tawfik emphasized the need for responsible AI standards, learning from past technological adoptions like the internet and social media, which lacked initial guidelines and led to cybersecurity and privacy issues. Potential benefits of AI include streamlining permit reviews, simplifying legal documents, and improving public engagement. However, Tawfik cautioned against over-reliance on AI without human oversight due to its current maturity level and possible biases.
In November 2023, the GovAI Coalition was created in San José to establish standards for responsible AI use in government. This coalition, with participation from over 300 agencies, aims to share experiences and develop common guidelines for ethical AI use. Coalition members share their knowledge and learnings, helping other municipalities implement AI safely and effectively.
Additionally, Tawfik mentioned that AI could revolutionize traffic management by identifying obstacles and suggesting road redesigns. For low-income populations, AI has the potential to detect problems before they become crises, ensuring that services reach those who need them most. Careful and responsible AI adoption could significantly impact how local governments operate and serve their communities.
