City of Detroit Encourages Contractors to Innovate with AI and Tech Driven Solutions

2024

The City of Detroit is taking a proactive step toward innovation and technological advancement by integrating a new artificial intelligence (AI) invitation statement into all Request for Proposals (RFPs) issued by the Office of Contracting and Procurement. This initiative encourages bidders and vendors to leverage AI and other technological solutions to improve efficiency, enhance services, and optimize operational performance.

"Detroit has always been a city driven by innovation,” said Mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan. “By inviting companies to include artificial intelligence and other innovative technology in their proposals, it will give them the freedom to design solutions that can adapt more quickly to the needs of our residents.”

Each year, the City of Detroit publishes nearly 300 RFPs, which generate responses from more than 400 bidders. The City currently does business with more than 1,100 vendors. Now, each RFP will be accompanied with the following statement: “Contractors are encouraged to employ innovative approaches, including ethically and responsibly leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, to enhance goods delivery, services, and operational performance.”

Examples of how AI technology can be used, include broader use of multi-lingual translation to increase access to vital city information and services (including 911 emergency response), or predictive modeling to help plan for infrastructure maintenance and replacement. By inviting proposals incorporating AI and other advanced technologies, the City of Detroit aims to improve service delivery and better understand the full scope of AI’s civic applications.

“We are excited to see how vendors and partners can leverage AI and other innovative technologies to contribute to the city's delivery of services while maintaining our standard for operational excellence.” said Sandra Yu Stahl, Chief Procurement Officer.

This update is part of a broader effort by the City of Detroit to modernize regulatory processes and strengthen partnerships with cutting-edge firms and local entrepreneurs.

“Across the board, the City of Detroit is working to be forward thinking, open to technology driven solutions, and collaborative with innovators” said Justin Onwenu, Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity. “We’re excited by the possibilities that may come from this, particularly for current and future Detroit technology companies”

“The City of Detroit is excited to promote the advances in by technology and looks to embrace these advances as we increase our services to our residents.” said Chief Information Officer Art Thompson.

Use of AI will not impact the scoring of RFPs; however, the AI invitation statement speaks to the City’s enthusiasm and will offer greater clarity for bidders and vendors interested in leveraging AI and other innovative technologies.

For more information on current RFP opportunities visit detroitmi.gov/supplier 

Please see below for examples of how AI technology has been leveraged nationally to improve City services.

  • Lead pipe removal optimization
    • Detroit is among a few cities using a new artificial intelligence-driven tool to find lead service lines with a high degree of accuracy to prioritize replacement and saving the city time and money. This informs where to prioritize replacements based on density, age of housing stock and economic factors. Citation: Bloomberg Law
  • Emergency response services
    • San José integrated Google Cloud's AI translation services into its 311 call center. This implementation enables the city to manage calls 24/7 and effectively communicate with residents in both English and Spanish, ensuring critical services are accessible to all community members. Citation: Google Cloud Announcement
  • Translation services
    • Minnesota has initiated a pilot project utilizing OpenAI's ChatGPT voice capabilities for real-time interpretation. This effort aims to improve accessibility for the state's non-English-speaking residents, facilitating faster and more efficient communication in various live situations, including legal and community services. Citation: OpenAI Announcement
  • Predictive maintenance in infrastructure
    • New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has piloted AI technology to prevent bus breakdowns. The system analyzed data from bus sensors, including temperature and speed, to identify potential issues early, allowing for timely maintenance interventions. Citation: Gothamist