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54 The Authority | October 2024 more. They use NLP and speech recognition to analyze and respond to human voice prompts. Devices become familiar with users' voices, patterns, and habits with each interaction. ChatGPT reports that the number one use of smart speakers is streaming music. The top request for information is typically related to the weather. Lehigh County Authority (LCA), a water and wastewater service provider, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has started to explore and apply AI in their work. Christopher Moughan, LCA’s Director of Service and Technology, oversees information technology and guides decision-making for cybersecurity, computer systems, software applications, and their use. He explained that LCA takes a “trust, but verify” approach to AI, meaning there is trust in the capability of the technology, but humans must verify the accuracy of information and how it is used and applied to our work product. According to Moughan, “In May of 2021, LCA upgraded to Microsoft 365 with its advanced suite of tools with AI applications like Copilot, which is Microsoft’s version of ChatGPT. Copilot, a relatively new offering, uses ‘natural language’ and has many capabilities, including improving written communication. It can spell and grammar check, adjust form and format, check for clarity and style, and even change the tone of your writing. It can summarize the top themes of a technical document for someone not familiar with the subject. Microsoft calls it ‘your everyday AI companion.’ Currently, a limited number of our employees have full access to the Microsoft AI tools while we learn and make decisions about wider application and possibilities.” LCA considers AI applications where there is a gain in efficiency, processes improvement, and potential for cost savings. LCA uses AI Applications in the following areas: Water Treatment Optimization For example, water treatment operators are using Decision Blue, a program from Fontus Blue. Decision Blue’s “virtual jar test” analyzes data and scenarios manually entered by operators to produce recommended optimal chemical dosing for water treatment. The tool guides the operators’ decisions, resulting in more accurate dosing of chemicals. Using the right amount of chemicals based on the specific data on current conditions leads to a reduction in costs for chemical supplies. Act 537 Sewer Planning LCA's Senior Planning Engineer Phil DePoe and Moughan are working together to develop a custom AI solution to assist in Act 537 sewer planning. According to DePoe, “We are building a chatbot in the Microsoft Copilot Studio, able to do detailed queries of the data we provide it. Instead of sifting through 100 files for hours to find one fact or bit of information needed to build our plan, Copilot can search mounds of data and find the details fast. It will take time for us to load all the files into Copilot, but the tool promises to be a huge time saver.” Asset Management LCA’s Director of Engineering and Asset Management, Albert Capuzzi, P.E., explains the use of AI in asset management. “We are working with Blue Conduit, a data science and AI Changing article continued from page 12. Examples of municipal applications of AI to enhance operations and services, according to Microsoft Copilot, include: • Smart City Initiatives: Cities have utilized AI for smart traffic management, optimizing traffic flow and improving road safety. AI-driven smart lighting systems adjust brightness based on real-time conditions, contributing to energy savings and public safety 1 . • Resource Management: AI has been applied in water management to monitor usage, detect leaks, and optimize distribution. Similarly, AI optimizes energy consumption in municipal buildings, promoting sustainability 1 . • Waste Management Optimization: Predictive AI models are used to forecast waste generation patterns and optimize collection routes, reducing operational costs and environmental impact 1 . • Public Safety and Services: AI has been deployed for predictive maintenance, crime prevention, and enhancing citizen engagement through personalized services 1 . • Generative AI Policies: Municipalities like Boston, Massachusetts; Tempe, Arizona; and Wentzville, Missouri have pioneered the use of Generative AI to improve governance and administration 2 . • Infrastructure and Support: AI technologies assist in structural health monitoring, energy infrastructure fault detection, and providing accessible customer service with chatbots 3 . 1 https://digitopia.co/blog/ai-transformation-chronicles-the-impact-of-ai-on-local-authorities-and-municipalities/ 2 https://icma.org/articles/article/generative-ai-policies-local-government 3 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00146-022-01450-x (Note: AI-generated content may be incorrect)