Indianapolis recognized for integrating AI into city government operations
Mar 25, 2025
Indianapolis implements artificial intelligence
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis has been recognized with a Smart Cities North America Award for its efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into city operations, a project initiated by the city’s AI Commission in December 2023.
The a
ward is from the International Data Corp.
The AI Commission was proposed by Republican Minority Leader Michael Paul Hart, who works full-time in information technology. The commission’s goal is to explore ways to use AI to enhance government functions, and since its inception, the city has been gradually incorporating AI into everyday tasks.
“Everything started to come quick and fast with generative type of technologies and the concern I hear from my constituents a lot is what does that mean for Indianapolis,” said Hart, highlighting the impetus for the commission’s formation.
So far, Indianapolis has implemented AI in small ways, but there are considerations for larger applications, such as using AI to identify potholes.
“How do we take one of these cameras, face it down, so it’s looking at roads and not people, because that is a big concern, and catalogue where these things are,” Hart said.
The city plans to train employees on generative AI, hire a chief privacy officer and chief data officer, and try out Microsoft Co-Pilot to improve efficiency in tasks like writing emails and managing spreadsheets.
The IDC told Hart, “The way that you’re moving forward as a city and handling this type of work is a very prudent approach to the implementation of technology and we want to award you the smart cities award for the administration of artificial intelligence.”
While there are no concrete plans for future AI implementations, the city and its commission are exploring approaches to responsibly integrate AI into municipal operations.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Information Services Agency is leading the AI implementation efforts. Collin Hill, the chief information officer, said in a statement, “This IDC Smart Cities Award reflects our commitment to understanding and implementing AI with thoughtful and responsible approaches.”
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