Revolutionizing Government Services: New York City’s AI Action Plan
In an exciting move to harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and transform government services, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a groundbreaking AI Action Plan. This plan aims to responsibly implement AI technology within the city government, enhancing efficiency and improving the lives of everyday New Yorkers.
The New York City Artificial Intelligence Action Plan, released by Mayor Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser, establishes a comprehensive framework for city agencies to adopt AI tools while carefully assessing risks. It also prioritizes enhancing AI knowledge and skills among civil servants, ensuring they are equipped to leverage this transformative technology.
“With the release of our AI Action Plan, the first-of-its-kind for a major U.S. city, we are cementing our commitment to the responsible use of this emerging technology,” Mr. Adams wrote.
Among the 37 key initiatives outlined in the strategy (pdf), many are set to be implemented in the coming year. These initiatives include establishing a robust governance framework, creating a network of external advisors, actively involving the public, and advancing AI knowledge-building initiatives.
Primary Tasks
One of the primary tasks in the city’s AI action plan is the formation of an “AI Steering Committee” comprising stakeholders from various city agencies. Additionally, the city has committed to publishing an annual AI progress report, ensuring transparency and open communication regarding the plan’s execution.
Mayor Adams highlighted how AI implementation can promote multiculturalism in New York City, citing the use of robocalls featuring his voice in multiple languages.
“The joy of this is that eventually, Spanish speakers will be able to receive information in their own language,” he said.
AI Prone to Bias
The city’s announcement also acknowledges the challenges associated with AI, recognizing that while highly beneficial, the technology has its downsides.
In certain circumstances, AI can “exhibit patterns of bias and discrimination” due to limited and homogeneous research, the announcement stated.
According to a 2017 RAND research report, blind spots can emerge when digital solutions, guided by training data or algorithms, consistently produce unjust judgments that perpetuate systemic bias and discrimination, particularly in areas such as criminal justice and housing.
“We understand that the term ‘AI’ can be anxiety-inducing. People often envision a Terminator-like figure taking over and displacing humans. But that’s far from reality,” Mr. Adams reassured. “Take a deep breath, get a grip. AI will help us function better in this city.”
Mayor Eric Adams speaks at the Museum of the City of New York’s Centennial Gala honoring Michael R. Bloomberg in New York on May 24, 2023. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Museum Of The City Of New York)
Sheena Wright, deputy mayor of New York City for Public Safety, praised the AI Action Plan as a prime example of the Adams administration’s utilization of cutting-edge technology to benefit the residents of New York.
“This framework will help city agencies take advantage of AI’s potential to better deliver vital services while safeguarding New Yorkers’ privacy and addressing concerns about bias,” she said.
“I look forward to witnessing how the MyCity AI chatbot unlocks the potential of small-business owners across our city, enabling them to focus on what they do best—growing their businesses—while the government streamlines processes to make it easier to ‘Get Stuff Done.'”
Chatbot for Businesses
New York City officials also announced the introduction of MyCity Business, an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed to assist business owners in effectively managing and expanding their enterprises within the city.
Building upon the original MyCity phase, which launched in March to help New York City families apply for child care assistance, this extension now offers valuable content tailored to support business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout their journey of starting, managing, and expanding businesses in the Empire State.
The AI chatbot will provide business owners with quick access to government-selected information from over 2,000 NYC business web pages.
Data security and transparency. It includes measures to ensure that AI systems are secure and that data is protected from unauthorized access. Additionally, the plan promotes transparency in AI systems, calling for clear explanations of how AI decisions are made and providing individuals with the ability to understand and challenge those decisions.
K City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Ensuring Responsible Implementation
The AI Action Plan recognizes the importance of responsible implementation and the need to address potential biases and limitations in AI systems. To ensure fairness and equity, the strategy emphasizes the development of robust evaluation mechanisms that can detect and mitigate any discriminatory outcomes of AI applications.
Furthermore, the plan calls for regular audits of AI systems to identify and address any biases or unintended consequences. It also highlights the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, including community groups, advocacy organizations, and experts, in the evaluation and decision-making processes related to AI implementation in government services.
Promoting Public Trust and Privacy
Public trust and privacy are key considerations in the AI Action Plan. The strategy emphasizes the responsible use of data and the protection of individuals’ privacy rights. It calls for the establishment of clear guidelines and ethical standards for the collection, storage, and use of data in AI applications.
