The Boston City Council wants to understand how artificial intelligence could improve city services and governance.
“Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries by enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery, with significant implications for municipal governance,” states a hearing order that the council approved on Wednesday.
Councilor Sharon Durkan brought forward the order, highlighting how the city’s Innovation and Technology Cabinet is surveying city employees to “assess experiences and opportunities related to AI in government operations.”
Not yet scheduled after the order’s approval, the hearing will include insight from representatives of the Innovation and Technology Cabinet, Northeastern’s Institute for Experiential AI, Boston University’s Hariri Institute, city unions and ethics experts.
Testimony is set to examine the “opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in city governance, with a focus on responsible implementation, workforce impact, and ethical considerations,” the hearing order reads.
Northeastern and BU are conducting “cutting-edge research in AI applications for healthcare, education, sustainability, and ethical AI governance.”
Durkan highlighted how AI traffic signals in Pittsburgh “have cut down on congestion and reduced idling time by 40%,” while AI in Chicago is “spotting foodborne illnesses and outbreaks by scanning social media, letting health inspectors step in a week sooner to stop the spread.”
Other cities are having a harder time embracing AI due to “bias” and racial profiling concerns.
“You see me stumbling over this speech today, it’s because it was written by AI,” Durkan said. “Privacy and security need to be front and center. … What we’re trying to do is have this broad conversation that’s not just about you talking to Chat GPT.”
Originally Published: March 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM EDT
