More than half of the city’s population speaks a language other than English at home, making translation services a key pillar of accessibility.
The city of San Jose is considering expanding the use of an artificial intelligence tool that is making City Council meetings more accessible to non-native English speakers, reports Julia Edinger in GovTech.
“The tool was unveiled and first used at the April 16 council meeting; it provides real-time AI transcription in more than 50 languages.” This provides a valuable service in a city like San Jose, where 57 percent of the population speaks something other than English at home. Now, the city is collecting public feedback about the service as it evaluates other potential uses, primarily other community meetings.
San Jose leads a nationwide coalition of municipal agencies that “ aims to lead responsible adoption of AI governance and use.”
FULL STORY: San Jose AI Initiative Boosts Accessibility, but by How Much?
Cities Are Interested in Adopting Generative AI. What’s Stopping Them?
Only a fraction of cities interested in using generative artificial intelligence to enhance how they operate have made moves to adopt to the technology. What are the obstacles to adoption and what can be learned from local governments who’ve already taken the leap?
San Jose Is Training AI to Identify Homeless Camps
Images captured on cameras mounted on a municipal vehicle are being used to train a private technology companies’ AI algorithm to detect tents and signs of habitation in vehicles.
Chicago Seeks Public Input on Clark Street Improvements
The city is creating a strategy for improvements in the Clark Street corridor to improve the area's walkability and stimulate the local economy.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service