Seattle Launches Responsible AI Plan to Transform City Services

Seattle's Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the city's 2025-2026 Artificial Intelligence Plan, aiming to position Seattle as a national leader in responsible AI use by expanding policies, training, and public hackathons. The plan builds on Seattle's pioneering 2023 generative AI policy and includes guidelines that prohibit certain AI applications like emotion analysis and social scoring while emphasizing human oversight and accountability. The city is launching extensive staff training programs and collaborating with labor groups and universities to protect workers' rights and enhance technical skills. Seattle has already tested about 40 AI projects focused on key areas such as permitting, transportation safety, and infrastructure maintenance, with pilot programs like CivCheck significantly reducing permit processing times. Additionally, the plan promotes community engagement through hackathons and partnerships with technology companies, aiming to improve public services and foster innovation while maintaining public trust and privacy. Seattle's Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd highlighted the city's potential economic prosperity in the AI sector, stressing that trust and responsible use remain paramount as AI tools address critical challenges like housing, public safety, and homelessness.