The City of Saskatoon is charging into the future, with its governance and priorities committee holding detailed discussions on November 12, 2025, about integrating artificial intelligence into the very fabric of its municipal operations. The administration's ambitious goal is to harness AI's power to enhance public services, elevate the quality of life for residents, and drive efficiencies that support sustainable growth.
A Three-Year Journey to an AI-Enabled City
This is not a sudden development. The city's strategic push towards AI has been a methodical, multi-year effort. A formal data governance program was established in 2022, laying the crucial groundwork. This was followed by the creation of a comprehensive data management strategy and an AI standard in 2023, setting the rules of the road for this powerful technology.
City officials envision a future where generative AI, AI agents, and bots take over process-heavy or mundane tasks. This shift would free up valuable time for city employees, allowing them to focus on more complex and impactful work that directly serves the community.
Balancing Innovation with Prudent Caution
Despite the excitement, the committee report and subsequent discussion highlighted significant challenges that must be navigated. The city acknowledges it must carefully consider the ethical standards of use, potential privacy risks, and ensuring value for taxpayer money.
Councillor Scott Ford directly questioned the financial implications, asking for a rough budget for further AI implementation. In response, the administration clarified that there is no specific line item in the current budget dedicated solely to AI. Instead, opportunities for enhanced services powered by AI are expected to be presented as part of future business plan options, often requiring an upfront investment for system development and staff training.
AI in Action: Current and Future Applications
The use of AI is already a reality within specific city departments. Saskatoon Water is using AI to optimize chemical dosage at the water treatment plant, a move that promises both efficiency and environmental benefits. Meanwhile, the sustainability department employs AI for sustainable building management and analytics.
The exploration of AI's potential is expanding rapidly. Other departments are currently investigating how AI could revolutionize their services, including:
- Customer service interactions
- Parking availability and lot management
- Human resources recruitment processes
- Building standards permitting processes
To demonstrate the capability of this technology, the StarPhoenix utilized a secure generative AI platform named Elvex to analyze the very report presented to the committee. The AI platform summarized the plan's strengths, noting its aim to modernize service delivery, optimize operations, and support strategic priorities like sustainability and inclusivity.
It also wisely flagged potential pitfalls, warning of cyber and data security risks, as well as ethical, bias, and privacy concerns if governance is not managed appropriately. The AI analysis further pointed to risks like job displacement, perceived inequities, and public resistance, showing a nuanced understanding of the societal impact of such technological adoption.
