Denver issues RFP for AI city solutions

The City and County of Denver has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to identify AI vendors capable of improving city operations and services. The initiative builds on discussions from last year’s DenAI Summit, which focused on AI applications for public benefit.

The RFP aims to establish a pool of pre-qualified AI vendors that can provide scalable and secure solutions aligned with the city’s needs. Vendors will be assessed based on their technical capabilities, compliance with security standards, scalability, and cost efficiency.

“In the RFP we outline the vendor qualifications requirements,” a spokesperson told Cities Today. “We state that vendors must meet regulatory compliance with state and federal regulations, including accessibility (ADA compliance) and ethical AI guidelines, such as transparency in decision-making, accountability mechanisms, and bias mitigation strategies.”

Additionally, vendors must demonstrate the ability to identify and minimise bias in AI algorithms, provide a clear methodology for ensuring ethical and impartial AI use, and successfully complete a third-party bias assessment.

Denver has already begun implementing AI solutions to address operational challenges.

“We’ve launched internal and external AI chatbots for improved communication and enhanced customer service,” the spokesperson added. “[And] we are using AI productivity tools to support application development. Some of the key challenges we are looking to tackle include talk-to-text and meeting summarisations and improving city processes like the permitting process.”

AI implementation will follow the city’s intake process and be governed by its AI framework. A centralised enterprise technology department will oversee deployment to ensure compatibility, security, and compliance across all departments.

“The DenAI Summit fostered collaboration between industry leaders, academia, and government agencies,” they said. “This collaborative spirit is crucial for driving responsible AI innovation. Discussions highlighted ways AI can help make cities more accessible and effective for the communities they serve.”

As AI adoption expands in city governments, Denver’s structured approach may serve as a reference for other cities aiming to implement AI responsibly while maintaining governance and security standards.

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