New York City unveils vision for AI adoption

New York City released its Artificial Action Plan, offering a blueprint for how city agencies should enlist AI and recognize the medium’s risks. The 51-page Artificial Action Plan will help develop a framework for city agencies to carefully evaluate AI tools and risks and help city government employees build AI knowledge and skills. It is part of a broader effort to implement those technologies to improve the quality of life for the city’s population. 

Building on its 2021 AI Strategy, the plan offers an overview of 37 actions, 29 of which will get underway or be completed within the next year. The city’s actions will include:  

• Establishing a framework for AI governance that acknowledges the risks of AI, including bias and disparate impact.
• Creating an external advisory network to consult with stakeholders across sectors around the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.
• Building AI knowledge and skills in city government to prepare city employees to effectively and responsibly work with and on AI.
• Enabling responsible AI acquisition with AI-specific procurement standards or guidance to support agency-level contracting.
• Publishing an annual AI progress report to communicate about the city’s progress and implementation.

One of the plan’s core initiatives is the rollout of an AI platform that can answer queries about the city’s business services via a website. MyCity Business, first launched in March to help families access childcare, features a pilot for the city’s first AI chatbot. The chatbot will be able to access information from more than 2,000 New York City Business web pages to help business owners and entrepreneurs to grow, operate or get started. 

The rollout also includes New York City’s first online capital marketplace for small business owners. The NYC Funds Finder portal can connect entrepreneurs with financing assistance via community-development financial institution partners and other lenders.