New York City Introduces AI Action Plan
New York City today has introduced an AI Action Plan. Billed as a first-of-its-kind move, the city is the first major U.S. to create a framework for city agencies to evaluate AI tools and the associated risks of using AI-powered tools.
Unveiled at City Hall, officials have stated that the goal of the plan is to help city government workers build AI-based knowledge and skills. Then, take what has been learned to support the responsible implementation of AI across agencies.
Mayor Adams spoke on this plain, stating “This is a huge, huge step forward.” He continued, “What is different in New York City is we are not running away from AI. We are going to properly govern how we use AI in a responsible way.”
Dysfunction is a major issue with government agencies, and the majority of New York City pointed to AI as a means to reduce the problem. Similarly, the Japanese government this year partnered with Microsoft to develop generative AI programs as a means to relieve bottlenecks between agencies and its legislature.
The first part of this rollout will be the introduction of an AI chatbot. Working on the city’s website, will assist business owners by directly answering questions in real time. If the chatbot is unable to help at that moment, the user will be directed to a human to respond.
One interesting aspect of this program is that it will put about 2,000 web pages associated with the city’s business site under the control of the AI chatbot. likely providing a great deal more navigability for the users.
But that part of the plan will arrive during the action plan’s second phase. The first phase will see the AI assist with parents’ childcare sign-ups. But this is only a single feature. In the first year, the city hopes to roll out 27 uses for the AI, with a total of 37 in operation by some time in 2024.
On the issue, Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser said, “With the creation of the Office of Technology and Innovation, Mayor Adams has set a new standard for how to enable smarter tech adoption across city government.”
He went on, “I am proud of my colleagues at OTI who have put forward a thoughtful approach that will guide how the City of New York supports its agencies through responsible adoption and shape the way cities around the world approach AI.”
Being the first of its kind, how the program ends up working or not working will provide other major cities in and out of the United States with a large case study to build off.
Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com
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