Your city agent speaks 100 languages. But does It understand you?
For many residents, interacting with city services feels like a frustrating experience. Forms are confusing. Wait times are long. And often, it feels like no one is truly listening. Now imagine a city services agent that speaks your language and understands your needs. Some cities already have one. But the real question is not whether they can do it. It is whether they should. SmartCitiesWorld has published a new trend report titled “AI for Personalised Government Services – Reimagining Citizen Experiences.” The report includes case studies from Derby, Amarillo, Jakarta, and Tampere. It offers frameworks for data governance, staff training, and building public trust with AI. Download the full report today to explore how leading cities are transforming service delivery with responsible AI. And join us at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona from November 4 to 6 to see these innovations in action. Visit Microsoft at Hall 3, Stand D51 to experience how AI is helping cities listen better, serve smarter, and build trust with every interaction. Cities Are Using AI to Improve Public Services Around the world, cities are using artificial intelligence to make public services faster, simpler, and more accessible. These are not experimental pilots. These are live systems serving residents every day. In Derby, United Kingdom, AI assistants handle more than half a million calls each year. This allows city staff to focus on complex cases that require human judgment and empathy. Routine questions are answered instantly. Human expertise is reserved for situations that need it most. In Amarillo, Texas, the city built an AI assistant named Emma. Emma speaks one hundred languages. In just one year, Emma helped the city save 1.8 million dollars in operational costs. More importantly, Emma helped residents who previously struggled to access services due to language barriers. In Jakarta, the JAKI platform connects services across departments. It reminds residents when permits need renewal. It sends alerts about tax payments. It links systems that used to operate in isolation. These cities are not chasing technology for its own sake. They are using it to serve more people, more effectively. The Technical Challenge: Old Systems Meet New Tools Most city systems were built decades ago. They do not communicate with each other. One department may not know what another already knows about the same resident. Artificial intelligence can bridge these gaps. But only if cities implement it carefully. Tampere, Finland shows how to do it right. The city redesigns services with residents, not just for them. It uses digital twin technology to test changes before rollout. It gathers feedback from actual users, including children and older adults. This approach takes more time. But it delivers better results. Services work for the people who actually use them. Why Thoughtful Planning Makes AI More Effective As cities explore the potential of AI to improve public services, it is important to recognize that successful implementation depends on careful preparation. While the technology offers powerful capabilities, its impact depends on how well it is integrated into existing systems and aligned with community needs. There are a few common challenges that cities may encounter during deployment: Data quality: AI systems rely on accurate and representative data. If the data is incomplete or biased, the system may produce inconsistent or unfair outcomes. Addressing data gaps early helps ensure more reliable performance. System integration: Many city platforms were built decades ago and operate in silos. Introducing AI without addressing these legacy issues can limit its effectiveness. A thoughtful integration strategy helps AI enhance, not just accelerate, existing processes. Public trust: Residents need to feel confident that AI systems are fair, transparent, and accountable. When mistakes happen, clear communication and responsive support are essential to maintaining trust. These challenges are not roadblocks, they are opportunities to build stronger, more inclusive systems. Cities that take time to plan, test, and engage with residents early are better positioned to deliver meaningful results. Building Trust Through Transparency AI is only as effective as the trust behind it. If an algorithm denies benefits incorrectly, who takes responsibility? If a translation system misunderstands a request, how does the city fix it? Camden, United Kingdom created a Data Charter in plain language. Residents helped write it. The charter explains how the city collects data, who can access it, and how it checks for bias in algorithms. This is not just good governance. It is necessary design. Residents will not use systems they do not trust. The charter includes regular audits. Independent reviewers check AI decisions for patterns of discrimination. If the system treats one neighborhood differently than another, the city investigates immediately. Other cities need similar frameworks. Trust requires transparency. Transparency requires clear communication. Making AI Work for All Residents AI allows cities to personalize services at scale. But personalization must include everyone. Language accessibility is essential. Residents should interact with city services in their preferred language. Emma in Amarillo proves this works. Translation should be automatic, not an extra step. Interface design matters too. Simple layouts help residents with limited digital skills. Clear labels support residents with cognitive disabilities. Audio options assist those with vision impairments. Human support remains critical. AI cannot handle every situation. Complex cases need human judgment. Emotional situations need human empathy. Cities must provide easy ways to reach actual staff. South Cambridgeshire routes 27 percent of inquiries through AI. This frees human staff to focus on the remaining 73 percent that need personal attention. The result is faster resolution for routine questions and better support for difficult cases. What Success Looks Like Cities that succeed with AI share common traits. They focus on outcomes, not features. They measure impact on residents, not just cost savings. Successful cities start small. They test one service before expanding. They collect feedback continuously. They adjust based on what residents actually need. They train staff properly. AI changes how employees work. Staff need time to adapt. They need clear guidance on when to use AI and when to intervene personally. They also maintain alternatives. Not every resident wants to use AI. Phone lines remain open. In-person services continue. Digital tools supplement existing services rather than replace them. The Path Forward for Your City AI will not fix broken systems automatically. It requires careful planning, thoughtful implementation, and ongoing evaluation. Start by identifying one service that frustrates residents. Map the current process. Find the delays and confusion points. Determine if AI can solve those specific problems. Involve residents early. Ask what they need. Test prototypes with actual users. Listen to criticism. Revise based on feedback. Build transparency into the system from the beginning. Explain how AI makes decisions. Create clear paths for appealing those decisions. Assign human accountability for AI outcomes. Train your staff before launch. Help them understand how AI changes their role. Give them tools to override AI when necessary. Recognize that technology serves people, not the other way around. When city services start to feel personal, residents spend less time navigating bureaucracy. Staff spend more time solving real problems. And trust in public institutions grows stronger. Learn From Cities That Succeeded SmartCitiesWorld has published a new trend report titled “AI for Personalised Government Services – Reimagining Citizen Experiences.” The report includes case studies from Derby, Amarillo, Jakarta, and Tampere. It offers frameworks for data governance, staff training, and building public trust with AI. Download the full report today to explore how leading cities are transforming service delivery with responsible AI.Join Microsoft at IACP 2025: Empower public safety operations with trusted AI
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition is the premier global event for law enforcement leaders, bringing together more than 16,000 public safety professionals. This year, IACP 2025 takes place October 18–22 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, and Microsoft is proud to be part of the conversation. As your trusted partner in public safety innovation, we invite you to connect with us at booth #362 to discover how Microsoft and our ecosystem of partners are helping agencies modernize operations, improve decision-making, and build safer communities through trusted AI. Microsoft’s presence at IACP 2025 centers around three key pillars that reflect the evolving needs of law enforcement and public safety agencies: Empower the government workforce Streamline workflows with secure AI copilots, enhance collaboration across departments, and boost efficiency with intuitive digital tools. Enable AI-driven decision making Accelerate officer workflows with real-time insights and unify data to support faster, more informed decisions. Transform emergency response Modernize communications, integrate systems for real-time situational awareness, and automate operations to improve coordination and outcomes. Experience Innovation Firsthand At booth #362, attendees can explore hands-on demos of Microsoft solutions including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Researcher and Analyst agents, and Copilot Studio agents tailored for first responders. These tools are designed to help agencies work smarter, respond faster, and serve communities more effectively. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our partners, Altia, DisasterTech, Insight, Pimloc, Remark, Revelen.AI, Triangula, and Zencos who are showcasing their solutions that support officer workflows, evidence management, reporting, and analytics. Don’t miss the Emergency Response Platform vehicle demo, supported by Darley, Dejero, and 3AM which highlights how AI and real-time data can transform field operations and emergency response at the tactical edge. Attend Our Thought Leadership Session Join us for a featured education session in the Leadership Track: Is "Technology Sharing" the Key to Law Enforcement Innovation? 📅 Saturday, October 18 🕤 9:30 – 10:30 AM MT 📍 Room 505/506 This session explores how collaborative platforms and shared technology models can reduce costs, accelerate deployment, and improve outcomes across jurisdictions, offering a blueprint for scalable innovation. Let’s Connect We’d love to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your agency’s goals and challenges. Request a meeting with a Microsoft expert to explore how AI and cloud technologies can support your mission. Visit Microsoft at booth #362 to explore AI-powered public safety solutions and skilling opportunities. Together, we can build safer, more resilient communities through innovation.Transforming Emergency Response: How AI is reshaping public safety
Brand new released Smart City Trend Report: Discover how AI is transforming emergency response and public safety in cities worldwide. In an era of escalating climate events, urban complexity, and rising public expectations, emergency response systems are under pressure like never before. From wildfires and floods to public health crises and infrastructure failures, cities must respond faster, smarter, and more collaboratively. The newly released Transform Emergency Response Trend Report offers a compelling roadmap for how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping cities meet these challenges head-on, by modernizing operations, improving situational awareness, and building resilient, resident-centered safety ecosystems. As Dave Williams, Director of Global Public Safety and Justice at Microsoft, puts it: AI models are increasingly embedded in public safety workflows to enhance both anticipation and real-time awareness. Predictive analytics are used to forecast crime hotspots, traffic incidents, and natural disasters by analyzing historical and real-time data, enabling proactive resource deployment and faster response times. This transformation is not theoretical, it’s happening now. And at the upcoming Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, November 4–6, Microsoft and leading technology innovators will showcase how AI is driving real-world impact across emergency services, law enforcement, and city operations. Government AI Transformation in Action: Oklahoma City Fire Department: Digitizing Operations for Faster Response Serving over 700,000 residents, the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD) faced mounting challenges due to outdated, paper-based workflows. From rig inspections to fuel logging, manual processes slowed response times and increased risk. Partnering with AgreeYa Solutions and leveraging Microsoft Power Platform, OKCFD built 15+ custom mobile-first apps to digitize core operations. The results were transformative: Helped drive a 40% reduction in manual tasks Real-time dashboards for leadership visibility Improved data accuracy and faster emergency response This modernization not only boosted internal efficiency but also strengthened community trust by ensuring timely, reliable service delivery. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service: Empowering Remote Teams with Secure Access With 44 stations and a mix of full-time and on-call firefighters, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) needed a better way to support staff across a wide geographic area. Their legacy on-premises systems limited remote access to critical data. By deploying a SharePoint-based intranet integrated with Microsoft 365 tools, NWFRS enabled secure, mobile access to documents, forms, and departmental updates. Improved communication and workflow efficiency Reduced travel time for on-call staff Enhanced compliance and data security This shift empowered firefighters to stay informed and prepared—no matter where they were. San Francisco Police Department: Real-Time Vehicle Recovery Reporting Managing thousands of stolen vehicle cases annually, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) struggled with a slow, manual reporting process that delayed updates and eroded public trust. Using Microsoft Power Apps, SFPD built RESTVOS (Returning Stolen Vehicle to Owner System), allowing officers to update vehicle status in real time from the field. Helped reduce reporting time from 2 hours to 2 minutes Supported 500 officer hours saved per month Improved resident experience and reduced mistaken stops This digital leap not only streamlined operations but also reinforced transparency and accountability. Join Us in Barcelona: See Emergency Response in Action At Smart City Expo World Congress 2025, Microsoft and our AI transformations partners will showcase emergency response AI transformation with immersive demos, theater sessions, and roundtable discussions. Transform Emergency Response will be a central focus, showcasing how AI, cloud platforms, and agentic solutions are enabling cities to: Modernize emergency operation centers Enable real-time situational awareness Foster community engagement and trust Featured AI demos from innovative partners: 3AM Innovations Disaster Tech PRATUS Sentient Hubs Tomorrow.io Unified Emergency Response with Microsoft Fabric and Copilot These solutions are not just about technology, they’re about outcomes. They help cities cut response times, improve coordination, and build public trust. Why This Matters Now As Dave Williams emphasizes, the future of emergency response is not just faster, it’s smarter and more resilient: Modern emergency response increasingly relies on unified data platforms that integrate inputs from IoT sensors, satellite imagery, social media, and agency databases. AI-powered analytics systems synthesize this data to support real-time decision-making and resource allocation across agencies. Cities must also invest in governance frameworks, ethical AI policies, and inclusive design to ensure these technologies serve all residents fairly. Let’s Connect Whether you’re a city CIO, emergency services leader, or public safety innovator, we invite you to join us at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, November 4–6. Explore how Microsoft and its partners are helping cities transform emergency response, and build safer, more resilient communities. Visit our booth at Hall 3, Stand #3D51, attend our theater sessions, and see demos from AI transformation partners delivering demos on Transform Emergency Response. Together, we can reimagine public safety for the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.Breaking the Search Habit
In today's fast-paced digital world, digital workers of all kinds are constantly seeking ways to streamline their workflows and enhance productivity. One of the most exciting new tools available is Copilot, an "answer engine" that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional search engines. To help illustrate the unique benefits of Copilot, I recently hosted a game show-style event showcasing its ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and provide comprehensive answers, saving time and energy. The best part? I used Copilot itself to help me create the framework for this gameshow in just a few minutes. I'll include the prompts and responses I used at the end of this article so you can see just how easy it was. A special thanks to all those who attended our recent Tribal Nations conference and learning event where leaders from some of America's most tech-forward tribes come to explore what Copilot could do to bring greater productivity and equity to its members and business interests. So, why a game show format? I believe that engagement == better learning so the game show format was designed to be interactive and quasi-competitive, making it easy and fun for participants to grasp the differences between Copilot and standard search engine experiences in a memorable way. The event featured a series of fun activities and challenges that highlighted Copilot's conversational ease and ability to provide composite answers. For example, participants were asked to solve complex queries using both Copilot and traditional search engines, demonstrating how Copilot's approach simplifies the process. For extra fun, Copilot also provided me with taglines, slogans, and even a fun graphic, all in literally just a few minutes. I went from idea to implementation, all in under 20 minutes. Copilot is an Answer Engine Unlike traditional search engines that require multiple queries and manual collation of information, Copilot acts as an answer engine, synthesizing data from various sources to provide a single, comprehensive response. The game show showcased activities where participants experienced firsthand how Copilot can save valuable time and effort. By leveraging Copilot, information professionals can focus on more strategic tasks rather than getting bogged down in repetitive search queries. I find this an incredibly important distinction for a couple reasons... First, we've all adopted search syntax as a second language. When we sit down at that search prompt we choose the right key words, in the right order, and heck… we've gotten pretty good at it. But the same string of keywords sent to Copilot frequently disappoint in results. It can be a challenge to trust the natural language capabilities of Copilot to hear and understand (and communicate back!) without using stilted search syntax tricks. Second, part of how Copilot differentiates itself from standard search queries is that it can actually retrieve information from disparate sources to compare and collate its response. The more specific and natural-language your question the better it seems to response. An example that seemed to resonate with folks during the gameplay: "I am a 49 year old cloud solution architect with 27 years of experience in the IT field, living in the Seattle area and I'm considering moving to Tampa Bay Florida. What can I expect in terms of changes to my cost of living and compensation?" What's important to note is that both contestants are likely to generate an answer, but Copilot excelled by doing it faster and more comprehensively. Collating and presenting data from several different searches as a complete answer, and it self-cites so you can quickly vet your information sources! Most importantly, it invites follow-up questions in a conversational manner that lets you dig further into details or compare more broadly in the abstract. Here's a quick screenshot of the reply generated in just seconds: Breaking the Search Habit The tagline "breaking the search habit" captures the key takeaway from the event. Copilot offers a different experience, emphasizing conversational ease over specific search syntax. Participants learned that talking to Copilot is more intuitive and efficient, allowing them to obtain the information they need without the hassle of crafting precise search queries, and then stitching together data from across a dozen different web results. This shift in approach can significantly enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Conclusion The game show event was a resounding success, providing participants with a fun and informative way to understand the benefits of Copilot. By breaking the search habit and embracing Copilot's answer engine capabilities, they unlocked new levels of efficiency and productivity. I encourage everyone to explore Copilot and experience the difference for themselves and hope that this approach can be a fun and engaging way to help folks in your organization add a powerful new capability to their toolkits. As promised, here are the handful of interactions with Copilot that produced everything I needed to make this fun game show in just minutes...Operational Resilience in a Platform Economy | Microsoft Intelligent Security Summit (MISS)
The growing challenge of sustaining business operations during any major event has created a need for a comprehensive approach to security and resilience. The ultimate goal is operational resilience. How do we get there…together? That is the question I discussed with Siân John, Microsoft’s Director, SCI Strategic Growth Business Development, at Microsoft’s recent Intelligent Security Summit. Read and watch the discussion here
