Summit County, OH moves building permits and inspections to GovWell portal
Summit County's Division of Building Standards began using GovWell, a new online platform for building permits and inspections, on Sept. 28, replacing its CityWorks portal for new requests. Applicants can apply for permits, submit plans, schedule inspections and track application status in one place, which officials expect will reduce review delays.
Summit County, OH
United States
Menlo Park, CA launches Laurel AI chatbot to answer resident questions
The City of Menlo Park launched Laurel, a Citibot-powered AI chatbot that answers community questions about city services using information from the city website, its Xplor Recreation software and its Accela permit portal. Laurel received over 1,000 questions in its first weeks, is available in more than 70 languages, and department staff review its responses for accuracy.
Menlo Park, CA
United States
Harris County, TX approves AI platform to speed permit and plat reviews
Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Australia-based Archistar to use AI to pre-check plat applications and run technical code-compliance reviews for new construction. The program aims to cut permit processing time by 50% and includes a chatbot for applicants, while county staff keep final review and approval. Commissioners earmarked over $750,000 for it in the FY2027 budget.
Harris County, TX
United States
New York, NY establishes independent AI watchdog to audit algorithms used by city agencies
New York City Council unanimously passed the GUARD Act, creating an Office of Algorithmic Data Accountability to review, audit, and monitor AI tools before and after agency deployment. The office investigates public complaints about algorithmic systems and publishes a directory of every AI tool it evaluates. City agencies must test AI systems for fairness and undergo independent evaluations before launching any new automated tool.
New York, NY
United States
New York, NY embeds tech teams in city agencies to accelerate digital services
New York City has launched the Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crew programme, embedding teams of product managers, designers, engineers, and user researchers directly into city agencies to build digital public services faster. Five crews will compress project timelines from years to months, starting with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's Click to Cancel subscription enforcement portal. One crew is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation through the Mayor's Fund.
New York, NY
United States
San Jose, CA upskills over 1,000 city staff to build their own AI tools
San Jose developed a 10-week AI training programme in partnership with San Jose State University that has equipped over 1,000 municipal employees with skills to create their own AI-powered tools. Employees across IT, Transportation, and Fire departments have built practical AI assistants that streamline workflows, reduce processing time, and improve service delivery. The programme represents a deliberate shift toward building internal AI capacity rather than relying solely on external vendors.
San Jose, CA
United States
New York, NY maps resident language diversity to improve service delivery
New York City has unveiled NYC Language Explorer, an interactive mapping tool developed by the Department of City Planning to help agencies understand language diversity across neighbourhoods. The tool uses US Census data revealing that approximately 1.8 million New Yorkers have limited English proficiency, with Spanish the most common language in most boroughs. It enables evidence-based planning for service delivery and community outreach.
New York, NY
United States
Dublin City Council, IE builds Ireland's first local government GenAI Lab
Dublin City Council is preparing its AI strategy for publication in Q3 2026, combining a two-tier governance structure, mandatory staff training, and Ireland's first Generative AI Lab dedicated to local government. The lab gives staff a structured environment to test AI tools and develop use cases before wider deployment. The strategy prioritises human oversight, transparency, privacy, fairness, accountability, and security from the outset.
Dublin City Council, IE
Ireland
Signal Mountain, TN leverages AI to streamline policy and hiring processes
Signal Mountain Town Manager Matt Justice regularly uses ChatGPT to draft policies, resolutions, ordinances, job descriptions, interview questions, and more, viewing it as a time-saving tool that provides a strong foundation but requires human editing and verification. Justice has applied AI to tasks like terminating leases for the Mountain Arts Community Center, creating fee ordinances, and assisting in the hiring process for roles such as community development director.
Signal Mountain, TN
United States
Calgary, AB launches Wave Tech Centre to boost innovation across city departments
Calgary has launched a new Wave Tech Centre aimed at fostering innovation within city departments by leveraging technology and collaboration. The center will serve as a hub for developing and implementing digital solutions to improve municipal services and operations. This initiative is part of the city's broader strategy to enhance efficiency and meet the evolving needs of its residents.
Calgary, AB
Canada
Victoria Daly, NT swaps regional data storage system for a more efficient cloud-based platform
Council officials pursued an alternative for a CouncilBiz system shared with other regional councils. The new system enables customization of apps and features by department rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Two-factor authentication prevents unauthorized access, while a mobile-friendly design supports remote access by employees. Local officials estimate an annual savings of AUD 157,000 in the system's first five years from pay-as-you-go licenses and improved productivity.
Victoria Daly, NT
Australia
Glenelg, VIC Business Process Management Project improves council responses to service requests
Glenelg previously relied on paper-based requests that led to inefficient communications and progress tracking. Department managers mapped service workflows for automation opportunities and practice improvements. A low-code platform supports online service requests and automates emails to relevant officers with necessary information. Council officials evaluate average timelines for each task and collaborate on service improvements thanks to the system's integration of departmental data.
Glenelg, VIC
Australia