Ramat Gan Launches Israel's First AI City Initiative

Ramat Gan is set to become Israel's first "AI City" as the municipality rolls out a series of digital innovations, aiming to enhance resident services and operational efficiency. In the coming weeks, residents contacting the municipal hotline may interact with an AI representative capable of natural language voice conversations, eliminating the need to repeat information across different systems. The AI system is connected to over 50 municipal interfaces, enabling it to understand inquiries, locate relevant data, and provide immediate answers or initiate service requests.

The AI hotline will operate alongside the existing human-staffed center, with the goal of reducing workload and allowing human operators to focus on more complex issues. "Our goal is to empower employees at all levels," stated Kobi Noah, Ramat Gan Municipality General Manager. He explained that AI can assist the mayor with better data, allow decision-makers to focus on future planning, and help field workers address problems more effectively by automating routine tasks.

Technology is also being integrated into physical services, such as waste management. An AI system can identify which bins require emptying, optimizing collection routes, saving fuel, and reducing wear on vehicles. Noah emphasized that technology is a tool for better service and more effective resource allocation, not an end in itself.

An example of current AI implementation is in the issuance of parking permits. Previously a manual process requiring residents to upload documents and staff to verify them, an AI agent now scans documents, extracts data, verifies it against municipal requirements, and identifies missing or low-quality uploads. Noah noted that parking permits can now be issued in 10 seconds, with digital permits automatically updating enforcement systems.

The integration of AI agents has also redefined the role of management, with Noah now overseeing both human and digital workforces. He stressed the importance of defining AI tasks, monitoring their performance, and ensuring they deliver tangible value. This technological shift is part of Mayor Carmel Shama Hacohen's vision to position Ramat Gan as a leader in artificial intelligence.

Key infrastructure changes include migrating to cloud-based systems under the government's Nimbus project, utilizing AWS services. This transition from local servers to cloud infrastructure facilitates resource allocation, security, and rapid deployment of new services. Ramat Gan is reportedly the first municipality in Israel to widely implement Anthropic's Claude AI model, a process that involved gaining buy-in from employees and departments.

Another project connects approximately 1,500 city cameras to a unified platform for monitoring and enforcement, assisting video inspectors in real-time and flagging security incidents. This system connects to municipal police and national police forces, with data stored under strict security protocols for long-term analysis. The city is also exploring using AI agents to extract and analyze data from existing legacy systems, creating new connections without costly redevelopment.