The city of San Jose has taken a significant step towards boosting accessibility with the implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology platform. This innovative tool aims to make City Council meetings more accessible to individuals whose first language is not English, catering to San Jose’s diverse population where 57 percent of residents speak languages other than English at home. The platform offers real-time AI transcription in over 50 languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese, the most commonly spoken languages in the city.
After its debut at the April 16 council meeting, the city is now seeking feedback on the effectiveness of the tool. San Jose City Clerk, Toni J. Taber, highlighted the positive initial feedback received and expressed plans to expand the tool’s usage to other departments and community meetings. The platform, known as Wordly, was developed to address the challenge of ensuring civic engagement for all residents, regardless of language barriers or hearing impairments.
San Jose’s proactive approach to embracing AI technology is evident in its leadership role in an AI coalition, focusing on responsible adoption of AI governance and use. As the city’s Chief Information Officer, Khaled Tawfik, emphasized, the rapid evolution of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for government agencies to deliver services effectively. San Jose’s participation in the coalition underscores its commitment to leveraging AI advancements for the benefit of its constituents and fostering collaboration on AI governance best practices.
The successful integration of the AI-powered platform in City Council meetings reflects San Jose’s commitment to leveraging technology for greater inclusivity and engagement. As the city continues to gather feedback and assess the impact of the tool, the possibilities for expanding its use to other areas of governance and community interaction remain promising. With a focus on harnessing AI for the public good, San Jose sets a precedent for other cities to follow in embracing technology for enhanced accessibility and citizen participation.
