AI tools empower innovation leaders to overcome challenges

The GovAI Coalition is emerging as a powerful force in local government innovation, bringing together hundreds of agencies to collaborate on artificial intelligence implementation while navigating complex technological and organizational challenges.

The formation and growth: The GovAI Coalition, initiated by San Jose’s leadership in 2023, has experienced remarkable expansion in its first year of operation.

• Starting with 50 agencies in November 2023, the Coalition has grown to include 1,700 members representing 550 agencies nationwide
• San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and CIO Khaled Tawfik spearheaded the initiative, creating a framework for cross-jurisdictional collaboration
• The Coalition board, led by San Jose and including six other municipal and state governments, oversees the organization’s operations

Key achievements and resources: The Coalition has developed practical tools and frameworks to help government organizations implement AI responsibly.

• In March 2024, the Coalition released its first public resources, including a customizable AI policy template and an AI FactSheet for vendor evaluation
• 77% of member agencies have utilized the AI policy template, while nearly half have implemented the vendor agreement
• Additional resources cover critical areas such as AI incident response, performance measurement, and governance frameworks

Collaborative innovation model: The Coalition demonstrates how local governments can work together effectively despite political differences.

• Saint Paul CIO Jaime Wascalus highlighted unprecedented cooperation between Texas and California through the Coalition
• Regular virtual meetings facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and vendor demonstrations
• The Coalition maintains a public database of vendor AI product fact sheets, promoting transparency and informed decision-making

Implementation challenges: Local governments face several obstacles in adopting AI technologies.

• City practices and established routines often resist organizational change
• Legal departments must navigate novel questions without precedent
• Procurement officers struggle with purchasing solutions rather than traditional products
• Privacy, security, and intellectual property concerns create additional complexity in multi-tenant environments

Looking ahead: The impact of collaborative innovation in local government suggests promising developments despite broader societal challenges.

• The Coalition’s rapid growth indicates strong demand for practical AI implementation guidance
• Local governments are positioned to drive technological innovation while maintaining focus on basic service delivery
• While uncertainty about AI’s future remains, the Coalition provides a structured framework for responsible adoption and implementation