Denver-Inspired Chatbot Serves as Prototype for AI in City Planning and Zoning

In a groundbreaking experiment that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) for public governance, former Planetizen editor Chris Steins collaborated with Code Studio, an urban design firm, to create a prototype City Planning Chatbot. Using Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, the chatbot is trained on publicly available documents from the City and County of Denver to answer questions about city planning and zoning regulations. Though not officially endorsed by Denver, the chatbot serves as a proof-of-concept that aims to improve public access to information, thereby increasing transparency and civic engagement.

The prototype can answer a wide range of questions, from the height limitations of fences in residential zones to the conditions for putting up temporary commercial signs. The chatbot's utility extends to helping citizens navigate the complex landscape of city planning by providing step-by-step guidance on processes like getting a conditional use approved. While not perfect, the chatbot demonstrates that when given access to a more extensive knowledge base, including information from ChatGPT-4, it can significantly improve its response quality.

Developers took the precaution of limiting the chatbot's responses to verified information available in the city's public records or within its Generative AI knowledge base. The technology leverages CustomGPT, allowing it to focus on specific topics while reducing AI-related errors, like hallucinations.

The project aims to revolutionize how governments engage with citizens by using AI to provide real-time, accurate, and interactive responses on official websites. This not only enhances transparency but could also significantly improve the efficiency of governmental departments. The City Planning Chatbot showcases the immense potential of integrating AI into public service and could become a model for other cities to follow.