San Jose Mayor Uses ChatGPT to Boost City Efficiency by 20-50%

Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, California, has publicly embraced the use of ChatGPT to assist with various aspects of his job, including drafting speeches and managing the city's budget. Mahan's approach is part of a broader initiative to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the city's operations, aiming to enhance efficiency and better serve the city's residents.

Mahan's recent activities have included using AI to draft talking points for public speaking engagements, such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies and festivals. He believes that AI tools can eliminate mundane tasks and improve the city's services. Mahan's strategy involves encouraging government workers to adopt AI, with plans to train 1,000 employees, or about 15% of the workforce, by next year. These workers will use AI for tasks ranging from responding to pothole complaints to optimizing bus routes and using surveillance cameras to solve crimes.

One of the early adopters of AI in San Jose is Andrea Arjona Amador, who leads electric mobility programs at the city's transportation department. She has used ChatGPT to secure a $12 million grant for electric vehicle chargers by setting up a customized AI agent to review grant proposals and draft the necessary documents. Arjona Amador also created another chatbot to edit the tone and language of her professional writings, highlighting the versatility of AI in various administrative tasks.

San Jose has invested over $35,000 to purchase 89 ChatGPT licenses for city workers, demonstrating the city's commitment to AI integration. Mahan's transparency about using AI for his background memos and speeches has set a precedent for other government officials, who might be hesitant to admit using such tools. Mahan emphasizes the importance of human oversight, stating that while AI can significantly reduce the time and effort required for tasks, independent verification and common sense are still necessary.

San Jose's AI initiatives are part of a broader trend in the Bay Area, where mayors are promoting AI adoption while ensuring guidelines and standards to mitigate potential risks. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a plan to provide nearly 30,000 city workers with access to Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot, emphasizing privacy and bias safeguards. San Jose has similar guidelines and has not reported major issues with its AI projects, although concerns about AI-generated false information, or "hallucinations," have been noted elsewhere.

Despite the potential benefits, the adoption of AI in government operations is not without challenges. The city of Stockton, for example, had ambitious plans for using AI agents to assist with tasks like booking public parks but ultimately did not purchase a full license due to cost concerns. This highlights the need for careful consideration of the financial and operational implications of AI integration.

Mahan remains optimistic about the potential for AI to enhance productivity in various roles within the city government. He believes that AI can significantly improve the efficiency of tasks such as finance, accounting, HR, and grant writing, allowing employees to be 20 to 50% more productive. Mahan's approach underscores the importance of transparency and continuous improvement in the adoption of new technologies, ensuring that they are used effectively to benefit the community.