Council Creates Working Group to Develop Citywide AI Strategy
The Riverside City Council has unanimously voted to establish a temporary three-member working group. This group is tasked with developing a citywide artificial intelligence strategy over the next 13 months. A key focus will be examining AI's impact on city services, the workforce, and the land, electricity, and water demands of data centers.
The Riverside City Council unanimously approved the creation of a temporary three-member working group to formulate a citywide artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Councilmembers Steven Robillard, Philip Falcone, and Steve Hemenway will serve on this panel, aiming to present policy recommendations and a strategic framework within 13 months.
According to Robillard, the initiative is proactive, seeking to prepare Riverside for the transformative impact of AI on work, business operations, and city services. The group's mandate extends beyond internal city AI use to encompass its effects on the local workforce, educational institutions, businesses, and the infrastructure required to support it.
Key areas of focus for the working group include the ethical and transparent deployment of AI, cybersecurity, protection of resident data, and critical resource demands such as land, electricity, and water associated with data centers. Councilmember Falcone highlighted the close connection between AI and data center discussions, acknowledging the necessity for a dedicated group despite his general reluctance to add more committees.
Public speakers, including Nick Adcock, president and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, largely supported the proposal, emphasizing the need for broad stakeholder input and robust safeguards for AI technology. The group will conduct public meetings in compliance with the Brown Act and Riverside's Sunshine Ordinance before dissolving upon submission of its final report.