By Sacramento City Express
The City of Sacramento launched a new artificial intelligence feature Dec. 18 on its public website designed to help residents find information more quickly and easily.
The City’s website search page now includes an AI-generated summary at the top of search results. The tool provides clear, concise answers by summarizing information from multiple City sources, reducing time spent searching and improving transparency and usability. Users can ask full, plain-language questions and receive easy-to-understand responses before clicking through individual pages.
“This new feature is about making City information easier to access and easier to understand,” said Darin Arcolino, chief information officer for the City of Sacramento. “By summarizing content from across the City website, we are helping residents get the answers they need faster while supporting the City Council’s Streamline Sacramento effort.”
The feature builds on lessons learned from the City’s internal SacGPT proof of concept and reflects ongoing collaboration between the Information Technology Department and other City departments.
City staff who have tested the tool say it is already improving how information is found with the public.
“As someone who works closely with residents and the development community, I have seen how helpful this tool can be,” said Matt Hertel, assistant director of the Community Development Department. “The AI search summaries make complex information easier to find and understand, which saves time and improves the overall customer experience.”
City officials say the AI search enhancement supports broader efforts to modernize services and streamline how the public interacts with local government.
The City expects the feature to be among the first of its kind launched by a local government agency, reinforcing Sacramento’s role as a leader in responsible, practical uses of artificial intelligence for public service