Mayor Welch and City of St. Pete Launch Community-Wide Initiative to Guide Adoption of AI in Local Government

Mayor Welch and City of St. Pete Launch Community-Wide Initiative to Guide Responsible and Ethical Adoption of AI in Local Government

August 11, 2026 - As part of Mayor Welch's commitment to accountable and responsible government, the City of St. Petersburg is launching a community-wide public input effort to help guide and ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in municipal operations. To kick off this initiative, the City is hosting an AI Open House for residents to learn more about AI use in City government and encouraging residents to provide their feedback through the AI Usage Resident Survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/WKmchqdTGL

"Artificial Intelligence technology is evolving and it's important that government is implementing this technology in an ethical, impactful and responsible way," said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. "While AI can be a powerful tool to support the work of City staff and improve the level of service we provide, we also need to be very intentional with how we embrace these new tools. Through this initiative, resident feedback will help inform how AI is incorporated in government operations and ensure the City has guardrails in place to protect resident privacy and security. I look forward to hearing more from our community regarding AI and how it should be used in City Hall."

Artificial Intelligence Open House

Residents are invited to join the City at the Artificial Intelligence Open House on Tuesday, August 25, at the President Barack Obama Main Library. This event is an opportunity for residents to learn more about how AI is being used in their community and provide feedback on how the City of St. Petersburg should use AI in government operations.

The event will include City staff who can answer questions about current AI use in government, local businesses that use AI in their day-to-day operations, and organizations that provide AI classes or workshops for residents to learn more about and participate in.

Tuesday, August 25
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
President Barack Obama Main Library
3745 9th Ave. N

Due to limited space, registration is required to attend the AI Open House. Event registration is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25. Register for the Artificial Intelligence Open House here: https://form.jotform.com/262176096133053

Artificial Intelligence Usage Resident Survey

As part of this community-wide initiative, the City of St. Petersburg is soliciting resident feedback on AI usage through the AI Usage Resident Survey. The results from the survey will help inform the City's next steps on AI adoption and is an opportunity for residents to provide direct feedback on AI usage in government operations.

The survey is open until Thursday, September 10, and is available here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/WKmchqdTGL

The City of St. Petersburg's AI Governance Policy

Recognizing the significant role Artificial Intelligence is poised to play in our workforce and in how residents are served, Mayor Welch directed the creation of an internal, cross-departmental AI Task Force in 2025. This internal task force was directed to study how AI is being used and evolving, and to identify policies, processes, and procedures to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI within the City of St. Petersburg.

The task force recently led the implementation of an internal Generative AI Policy to establish standards for acceptable use, training, and approved tools within City government. This policy establishes uniform standards for AI use and ensures that resident data and information are protected.

A copy of the internal policy is available here: https://www.stpete.org/government/government_affairs