96 percent of mayors (PDF) report interest in using artificial intelligence. However, only 10 percent have assigned AI personnel and just nine percent of local governments report having formal AI policies in place to govern internal operations. 38 percent of technology leaders (PDF) in local government say their organizations are not prepared to safely and effectively use AI.
Across cities, interest in AI is outpacing the systems needed to support its use. Local governments are navigating foundational issues such as privacy, transparency, workforce training and procurement. At the same time, the pace of technological change is adding another layer of complexity. The development of new computing capabilities, the release of new AI tools, and the adoption of those tools by governments all occur at different rates, making it difficult to assess what is ready for use in a public sector context.
This gap between interest and readiness presents a growing challenge for local governments. Without the internal capacity, governance frameworks and procurement processes to support AI, cities risk uneven adoption, increased reliance on vendors and limited oversight of how these tools are used and how they impact residents.
Addressing this gap is a key reason why NLC created the AI & Emerging Technology Forum.
The Forum is a national working group of mayors, councilmembers and senior innovation and technology staff from communities across the country designed to help local leaders make informed decisions about when and how to use emerging technologies based on their risks, benefits and operational requirements.
The Forum meets quarterly to evaluate AI tools and use cases, identify common challenges and develop practical guidance. This work is intended to move beyond high-level discussion and provide cities with actionable, real-world frameworks they can apply within their own operations.
Because AI is not a single technology, different tools require different approaches to governance and implementation. For example, a transportation department using computer vision to detect potholes faces a distinct set of considerations compared to a communications team using large language models to support translation for public engagement. Treating these applications as the same can lead to gaps in oversight and ineffective deployment. The Forum is focused on helping municipalities evaluate distinct uses of AI to create appropriate guidance.
The Forum is also engaging with trusted private sector partners to better understand the capabilities and limitations of current technologies. Our AI Partners will help the Forum implement our AI in Action (PDF) roadmap and co-create an AI for Public Administration Handbook.
Local governments are not starting from scratch, but they need clearer pathways to move from interest to implementation. Through the AI & Emerging Technology Forum, NLC is helping cities navigate that path with practical guidance, peer learning and a focus on responsible use.
NLC AI in the News
- National League of Cities Launches AI Forum for Local Govt.
- Nonprofit launches forum to help city leaders leverage AI effectively
- How Cities Are Putting AI to Work
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