The use of artificial intelligence-powered computer vision and edge computing are combining to reshape public safety and customer service capabilities, local government and municipal officials said during a new webinar produced by MeriTalk and underwritten by Dell Technologies.
Realizing those kinds of service improvements depends on key factors including organizational buy-in and making smart use of public data to boost efficiency, the panelists emphasized.
Randy Lack, general manager of computer vision AI at Dell Technologies, explained that recent tech advancements with 5G wireless tech and “smart” utility poles equipped with sensors and edge AI are helping deliver faster, real-time insights to first responders.
“We can actually run AI at the edge, because now we have the understanding and the compute on board to run those models at the edge and give us those insights much faster,” said Lack.
Doug Wycoff, director of digital technologies and innovation at Tampa International Airport, said deployments of edge technologies have helped to manage large crowd numbers and increase connectivity across airport employees.
Meanwhile, Arturo Duque, interim chief information officer and Director of Innovation and Technology for the City of Miami, said that the Miami Department of Economic Innovation and Development is launching a digital twin of the city’s Brickell Avenue area to simulate traffic, weather impacts, and infrastructure changes with the goal of improving planning and emergency response.
“The servers to run this type of technology are available, they exist. You don’t need super computers, it’s not something that is out of reach – this is something that is doable now,” said Duque.
To begin deploying edge AI-powered technology, Duque recommended partnering with other organizations to take advantage of rapid innovations in AI. He said that state and local governments shouldn’t “be afraid, get in and partner with the right organization.”
Wycoff suggested treating technology as a change agent for increasing efficiency and encouraged organizational buy-in to make deployment easier and more effective. And he explained that establishing working groups to share best practices can help align messaging across the organization.
Lack underscored the call to action and encouraged organizations to consider deploying the new technology.
“It’s just getting people to step in and do it, and making them feel a part of it, and then, of course, partnering with all the right folks in the area that you’re looking to solve for,” said Lack. “Let’s start taking some action, and then you’ll move up that AI maturity curve … and you won’t be reactive, you’ll be much more proactive, and your whole community and organization will be in a much better place.”