The Aurora City Council is set to vote on hiring a consultant to help the city develop a policy and strategy for use of generative artificial intelligence.
Aldermen will vote next week on a contract of no more than $136,570 to International Data Corporation Research, Inc. of Needham, Massachusetts, or IDC, as a consultant for a policy, strategy and roadmap for use of what is called GenAI.
The Finance Committee last week recommended the contract, and the full City Council looked at it this week during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday evening. It is on unfinished business for next week’s regular City Council meeting, meaning it could be discussed more.
Kevin Brimberry, of IDC, said his company will look at how a GenAI policy will align with the city’s existing technology, develop a GenAI strategy and outline a short-term roadmap of how the city can use it.
He said GenAI is not only a coming technology, it has a practical use for the city.
“This is not a shiny object,” Brimberry said. “It’s going to transform the city of Aurora.”
Michael Pegues, the city’s chief Information Technology officer, said that transformation will come in the form of helping with time-consuming tasks in an office like the city clerk’s, for water billing and other improvements for the city’s customers.
He said GenAI “helps create content based on information and data.”
He envisioned it helping with things like a chat box answering basic questions for residents, possibly helping fill out permits and streamlining data.
He said the city is looking at an initial workshop in June to gather information and hear concerns from city employees and residents.
It could also help write press releases and write requests for queries and proposals as well, he said.
“Operational efficiency is where you will see a value,” Brimberry said.
Pegues said GenAI is not designed to eliminate jobs or replace people, but free up employees to do other, greater tasks.
“We stand to greatly benefit from data-driven cost savings, making the city smarter on how we do business, more sustainable,” he said.
Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, said he wanted to make sure any policy developed has input and decision-making from the City Council.
“It’s a great first step, for sure,” he said.
Pegues said the consultant and IT staff would be engaging all 13 city departments and the City Council.
slord@tribpub.com
