Embracing AI in Municipal Government: Streamlining Workloads with Innovative Technology
In municipal government, it’s a given that we often juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. However, another common phenomenon is the apprehension towards adopting new technology or making changes of any kind. This fear is partly justified, as the importance of our work demands caution when introducing untested systems, especially when it comes to handling sensitive public records and government finances.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that innovative technology can be a powerful ally in managing our diverse workload. AI-powered tools, such as Venice.ai, have become indispensable in my daily tasks. I utilize Venice.ai to quickly locate key information within ordinances by simply sending it a webpage and asking specific questions.
Other tools like ChatGPT allow me to upload files, including budget spreadsheets and grant proposal PDFs, and then pose questions about the content. This capability has significantly streamlined my research process.
When it comes to meeting minutes, Otter.ai has been a godsend. By uploading old council meeting videos, Otter.ai transcribes and summarizes the content, enabling me to ask targeted questions, such as “When was the last time X was mentioned?” and receiving relevant information from all uploaded meetings.
While I still exercise caution and double-check the information before sharing it, these AI tools have saved me countless hours of research time. Although I’m not yet at the point where I can rely solely on AI, I’m excited about the potential for these technologies to continue enhancing my productivity and efficiency in municipal government.