Winnipeg AI pilot projects on the way [Video]

In the coming months, when you call the Winnipeg Police Service’s non-emergency line, the voice that answers the call may not be human.

That’s because artificial intelligence is coming to the City of Winnipeg.

“We’re excited to release six pilot projects using artificial intelligence to improve customer service for the citizens in Winnipeg and help our staff become more efficient,” said Tyler Gooch, the city’s director of innovation and technology.

The city will be testing the use of AI to evaluate building permit applications, monitor potholes and road conditions using cameras mounted on buses, and automate invoice processing.

The city also wants to start using AI to answer non-urgent calls to police.

“The non-emergency line would be answered by an automated voice agent using generative AI to produce results similar to what a human agent would,” Gooch said. “These are going to be the types of calls that could be …