When thinking about how local governments might use AI to improve services for constituents, Anchorage, Alaska, may not necessarily be one of the first places that comes to mind. But why not?
In fact, one can imagine that a city with a subarctic climate, fluctuating daylight hours and harsh winter weather conditions would have an even greater need to consider harnessing generative AI to improve operations. Thankfully, in the Internet age, municipalities can keep track of what other cities are doing to address common issues and monitor their progress toward solving similar problems — even if that other city happens to be 4,556 miles away. And, unlike the private sector, the public sector freely shares ideas to help people both inside and outside of their jurisdictions.
Brendan Babb, Alaskan born and a resident of Anchorage for most of his life, has served as the city’s chief innovation officer for the past eight years. From his work as a data scientist and senior analyst/programmer in the private sector to a stint collaborating with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he has long been interested in artificial intelligence. In this episode of “In Case You Missed It,” Babb discusses public-sector collaboration and private-sector partnerships, promising use cases for the current use of AI, the role that AI may play in evolving city government in the future, and the challenges and barriers to implementing generative AI in city government.
LEARN MORE
- Connect with Brendan Babb on LinkedIn
- Recent Government Technology articles on AI training for residents and staff
- AI resources mentioned in the episode:
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In Case You Missed It is Government Technology’s weekly news roundup and interview live show featuring e.Republic* President Dustin Haisler and Chief Innovation Officer Joe Morris as they bring their analysis and insight to the week’s most important stories in state and local government.
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*e.Republic is Government Technology’s parent company.
Joseph Morris is the chief innovation officer of Government Technology’s parent company e.Republic and a national keynote speaker on issues, trends and drivers impacting state and local government and education. He has authored publications and reports on funding streams, technology investment areas and public-sector priorities, and has led roundtables, projects and initiatives focused on issues within the public sector. Joe has conducted state and local government research with e.Republic since 2007 and knows the ins and outs of government on all levels. He received his Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations from the California State University, Sacramento.
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