Ensuring the Responsible Public Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI Adoption in the City of Boston Workforce: A 2025 Survey Analysis

Introduction:

In Spring 2025, the City of Boston conducted a survey to assess employee understanding, usage, and training needs related to generative AI tools. The survey,excluding staff from boston Public Schools,Fire,Police,Public Health,and the public Library,aimed to inform the city’s strategy for responsible and effective integration of generative AI into public service. This analysis summarizes the key objectives and findings of the survey, highlighting current adoption levels, existing concerns, and necessary support structures.

Core Topic & Audience

The core topic of the survey is the adoption and perception of generative AI within the Boston city workforce.the intended audience is City of Boston leadership and departments responsible for technology implementation, training, and workforce growth. The survey seeks to answer the question: how are City of Boston employees currently using, and what support do they need to effectively and responsibly utilize, generative AI tools?

Optimal Keywords

* Primary Topic: Generative AI in Government / Public Sector
* Primary Keyword: Generative AI Adoption

* Secondary Keywords:

* AI Workforce Training

* Government AI Implementation

* City of Boston AI

* AI in Public Service

* Generative AI Survey

* AI Employee Survey

* AI Skills Gap

* Responsible AI

Survey Objectives & Methodology

The City of boston’s survey was designed to gather data on three key areas:

1. Current Usage: Understanding how employees are currently utilizing generative AI tools in their roles. This includes identifying specific tools being used and the types of tasks they are applied to.
2. Desired Usage: Identifying how employees want to use generative AI to improve their work processes and outcomes. This helps pinpoint areas where AI could provide the greatest benefit.
3. Training Needs & Concerns: Assessing employee familiarity with generative AI,preferred training methods,and any concerns they have regarding its implementation (e.g., data privacy, accuracy, job displacement).

The survey reached over 20% of eligible City of Boston employees, providing a substantial dataset for analysis. The full survey questionnaire is available here.

Implications for City of Boston’s AI Strategy

The results of this survey are crucial for the City of Boston as it develops a complete strategy for integrating generative AI. Understanding current usage patterns allows for targeted support and resource allocation. identifying employee concerns is vital for building trust and ensuring responsible AI implementation.Moreover, the data on preferred training methods will inform the development of effective programs to upskill the workforce and maximize the benefits of generative AI.