ICMA Belgium Global Exchange Series - 9th ICMA Europe Summit: AI in Local Government

Speakers from around the world at the ICMA Europe Summit final roundtable discussion on AI and Technological Innovations in Local Government.

In May of 2024, a group of ICMA members, many from ICMA's Global Engagement Committee, joined members of the ICMA Executive Board, ICMA staff, and other local government professionals, to travel to Belgium for an immersive global exchange in the cities of Bruges and Hasselt. The entire exchange covered an array of topics such as mobility, water management, cultural preservation, veteran reintegration, AI in local government, and more. The hands-on and diverse experiences provided by the exchange gave participants a whole new perspective on these topics and how they can be integrated into their own communities.

The following piece covers the ICMA delegation's attendance and participation at the 9th ICMA Europe Summit, focusing on AI in local government.

This summit took a deeper exploration into AI and technological innovations in local government. Peter Agh, managing director for ICMA Europe, shared that the summit was "a remarkable opportunity for both the ICMA delegation and our European counterparts to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Hosting the ICMA delegation allowed us to showcase our local governance practices and share insights on the unique challenges and successes we face in our respective countries."

Knowledge sharing is a key element of all of ICMA's global exchange activities. Agh emphasized this by highlighting that "the exchange of ideas [at the summit] fostered a deeper understanding of the differing approaches to municipal management, highlighting the importance of adaptability and innovation in addressing common issues such as sustainability, public engagement, and service delivery using artificial intelligence. This experience proved to be mutually beneficial, as U.S. attendees gained valuable perspectives on European models of governance, while European participants were able to learn from the diverse experiences of their American peers." Agh continued, "The collaborative atmosphere encouraged networking and the sharing of best practices, ultimately strengthening the ties between our organizations and communities. The summit not only enriched our knowledge but also laid the groundwork for future partnerships and initiatives that will enhance local governance on both sides of the Atlantic."

The summit featured an array of speakers who gave unique insight, predominantly from an EU perspective, of the implications and applications of AI in local government. From the role of AI in the communities of tomorrow, to responsible and ethical AI uses, each speaker gave a thought-provoking look into this life-changing technology.

Stephanie Dawkins, ICMA-CM, city administrator of Geneva, Illinois, USA, and member of the Global Engagement Committee, reflected on the knowledge sharing and timeliness of the summit, stating that it "couldn't have come at a better time. The theme, AI and Technological Innovations in Local Government, is certainly timely and has sparked both excitement and concern. Our city council has had preliminary discussions about the ethical implications, accountability, and equitable access related to these advancements-issues that Anca D. Goron, Ph.D., addressed in her insightful presentation. Yvonne Kiely's talk also focused on the importance of ethical AI, reinforcing the notion that while these concerns are valid, they can be effectively managed to harness the benefits of AI in enhancing public service."

While all sessions proved valuable to Dawkins, she noted that "the final session-a roundtable discussion on AI and Technological Innovation in Local Government-was particularly enlightening. While local governments are often not seen as leaders in technological advances, this discussion showcased how many of my global counterparts are implementing AI in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just five years ago. It's clear that even at the cutting edge, the deployment of AI in local government needs to be thoughtful and intentional. AI should be viewed not as a replacement, but as an enhancement to our services."

Peter Agh, managing director of ICMA Europe, welcoming participants to the 9th ICMA Europe Summit.

Dawn Marie Buckland, executive director, Maricopa County Assessor's Office, Arizona, USA, was a panelist on this final session discussion and added, "as with so many issues, the discussion showcased the similar needs and priorities of local governments around the world. The panel emphasized the importance of recognizing AI as a tool to achieve an outcome, not the outcome itself. The panel also shared necessary precautions to leverage AI as a powerful tool while avoiding unintended consequences."

Buckland went on to share examples that her and her fellow panelists brought about, explaining that "while AI is often thought of for its potential transformation effects, it is often more useful for its augmentation and replacement effects. Some organizations augment their work when leaders make policy decisions yet use AI to insert those decisions into the appropriate policy format. Other organizations have begun purchasing lawn mower bots, freeing up staff to accomplish other tasks."

Dawkins emphasized the overall value this summit brought, highlighting "that AI is a tool to be embraced, not feared. By acknowledging its limitations-such as potential bias and inaccuracies-and taking proactive steps to address them, we can truly transform local government for the better."

Gary O'Connell, retired city manager, also reflected on his time at the summit, sharing how he "went to the summit intent on learning more about AI in local government that was on the program, and got exposed to a number of great examples. The whole time I was at the summit I was emailing information to my IT director with AI examples we could apply back home."

AI is ever-changing, and the ICMA delegation was able to gain a whole new perspective on its endless possibilities as a result of this engaging summit. To learn more from these impactful presenters, view:

Digitalization and AI in Local Government

AI Adoption in Riga, Latvia

Augmenting our Intelligence in Local Gov

How Western European Governments Are Using AI

The Role of AI in the Communities of Tomorrow

Resident Engagement Reimagined With AI

For additional tools and guidance, visit ICMA's AI Resource hub.

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For more from ICMA's Belgium exchange, visit:

Bruges Study Tour

Ukrainian Veterans Reintegration Workshop

Bruges, Belgium, and Kopychyntsi, Ukraine Partnership

Exello.net Conference: Our World Is Changing Faster than We Are