NYC announces artificial intelligence adoption framework, AI chatbot pilot

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made headlines in recent months for both its potential to advance humanity and for its possible pitfalls. From automation and chatbots to self-driving cars and facial recognition, artificial intelligence is poised to fundamentally change the way American cities and counties operate.  

New York City on Monday became the first major American city to launch a comprehensive framework for the development and evaluation of AI-based tools. The framework, called the “New York City Artificial Intelligence Action Plan,” is intended to help municipal employees and administrators build knowledge and skills, and to support responsible citywide implementation. Simultaneous to the framework’s announcement, the city launched a pilot for New York City’s first citywide AI chatbot.

“While artificial intelligence presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to more effectively deliver for New Yorkers, we must be clear-eyed about the potential pitfalls and associated risks these technologies present,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement. “I am proud to introduce a plan that will strike a critical balance in the global AI conversation—one that will empower city agencies to deploy technologies that can improve lives while protecting against those that can do harm.”

The action plan sets out a series of 37 phased actions the city will undertake to help agencies understand risks, and decide whether or not a particular tool is useful and safe. Twenty-nine of those actions are set to begin or be completed within the nextd year. They include: Establishing a framework for AI governance that acknowledges risks, including bias and disparate impact; the creation of an external advisory network to consult with stakeholders across sectors around opportunities and challenges posed by AI; and to enable responsible AI acquisition, with specific procurement standards, and guidance to help at the agency level. The city will publish a progress report annually to track progress and implementation.

Alongside the framework is a new MyCity Business site, a landing page that directs users to various city services and features the chatbot pilot that can answer questions about the way the city handles business. 

“This framework will help city agencies take advantage of AI’s potential to better deliver vital services while protecting New Yorker’s privacy and concerns about bias. I look forward to seeing how the MyCity AI chatbot unlocks the potential of small-business owners across our city, allowing them to focus on what they do best—growing their businesses,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright in the statement.

The MyCity Business initiative builds on MyCity portal, which was launched in March to help local families access childcare. The statement notes that MyCity Business is designed to connect business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs and help them start, operate, and grow businesses.

The MyCity Business site also features an online capital marketplace for small business owners called NYC Funds Finder, which can connect entrepreneurs with financing assistance through community development financial institution partners and other lenders, the statement continues.

“Emerging AI technology has already begun to reshape our processes and help make them more efficient,” said Dawn M. Pinnock, commissioner of the city’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner. “At DCAS, we’re tasked with managing and paying the city’s utility bills, and in an effort to enhance our bill review and auditing procedures, we’ve leaned on modern technology to develop a machine learning tool that utilizes history to estimate consumption and track any bill anomalies. With tools like these and Mayor Adams’ AI Action Plan, we’re harnessing the power of AI to increase our efficiency so that we can better deliver services to all New Yorkers.”