D.C. pilots AI platform to enhance government-resident dialogue

Washington, D.C., will pilot a new AI-powered tool called deliberation.io during its upcoming AI Public Listening Session on July 15, developed in partnership with MIT’s Governance Lab and Stanford’s Digital Economy Lab. The pilot represents Mayor Muriel Bowser’s latest effort to advance value-driven AI adoption in the district, with plans to scale the technology for broader community engagement if the trial proves successful.

What you should know: The deliberation.io tool is designed to facilitate large-scale dialogue between residents and help city officials gather comprehensive feedback on AI initiatives.

• The July 15 listening session will invite residents to learn about the government’s AI efforts, hear from technology leaders, share public input, and identify solutions that support public interests.
• Previous sessions focused on initial AI pilots and AI for education services, but this upcoming session will address issues including language access, accessibility, communication and usability.

Who’s involved: The district is collaborating with academic institutions to ensure the pilot addresses relevant community concerns.

• The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) is leading the listening sessions as part of Mayor Bowser’s February 2024 order.
• MIT GOV/LAB and Stanford Digital Economy Lab developed the deliberation.io platform being tested.
• The partners will collect data, conduct analysis, and share a comprehensive report when the pilot concludes.

The bigger picture: This pilot reflects D.C.’s systematic approach to AI implementation, moving beyond basic automation toward tools that enhance government accessibility and effectiveness.

What they’re saying: “Now, we’re starting to look at how we’re using technology for things like accessibility, or how we’re using it to make the government more efficient or more effective,” said Chief Technology Officer Stephen Miller.

What’s next: The Bowser administration plans to make deliberation.io more widely available throughout the district, pending positive results from the pilot program.