TC Launches "Ask the City"

Oct. 12, 2024

This October, the City of Traverse City launched their new “Ask the City” program, which allows residents to ask questions and receive an answer either from a city employee or an AI-generated response. (The AI, called GovGPT, is powered by Polimorphic, a government technology company out of New York. A disclaimer on the site reads, “GovGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places or facts.”) Open questions and answers are visible to all who visit the website. Sample queries already asked include “Can we have an update on the Senior Center project?” and “How can I arrange for food scrap pickup service?” According to a press release, the program “will be implemented as a three-month pilot project, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated to determine its continuation based on community interest.” Ask your question at repd.us/traverse-city.