Whether you are interested in technology or not, you’re probably aware of artificial intelligence (AI). I call AI the Taylor Swift of technologies, as not a day goes by that I do not run across some mention of Taylor Swift or AI. Having been in the technology industry for over 30 years, I can say that AI will be one of the most impactful technologies in my lifetime, up there with the internet.
In response to the surge of interest in AI, in late 2024, APWA decided to deliver an event dedicated to AI for the public works community. The new APWA Technology Committee was responsible for the content. As a member of the Technology Committee, and someone who is aware of the value of AI to public works, I was excited to be a part of this new event. To schedule the AI Summit as quickly as possible, it was decided that it would be virtual. The summit goals were to:
• Demystify AI for public works professionals and explore the current state and future of AI in the public works space.
• Prepare public works professionals for conversations around policy, staffing, and ethical considerations regarding AI.
• Provide an opportunity for public works professionals to share experiences and knowledge about the current use of AI and thoughts on future innovation in the fields.
The APWA AI Summit took place on January 29 and 30, and consisted of four sessions, plus a series of breakout rooms to provide question and answer time dedicated to each session’s topics. Below is a summary of the event.
https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/may-2025/features/public-works-meets-ai-takeaways-from-apwas-fi...
