OAKLAND
The city of Oakland has published a request for information inviting artificial intelligence companies and researchers to submit ideas to help improve public services with AI. This initiative is designed to experiment with AI tools and technologies on specific city-identified challenges across the entire organization.
“We’ve identified real opportunities where AI can help make it easier for Oaklanders to access city services,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “This request for information invites innovative partners to pilot these solutions with us. We’re taking a deliberate approach that ensures any technology we adopt has appropriate guardrails, serves our community equitably and strengthens our ability to serve Oakland’s residents.”
The city’s AI Working Group (AIWG), established in 2024, has been the driving force behind the city’s responsible AI journey. Over the past year, this cross-departmental team has developed a comprehensive AI Equity Statement to guide all AI initiatives.
Separately, the AIWG has started using Microsoft Copilot 365 as a personal assistant for staff and studying its impacts through a graduate research project funded by Northeastern University Oakland (Mills College). Alongside these efforts, the AIWG is testing a robust data governance program and data classification policy that automatically blocks sensitive data from being accessed by AI tools and systems.
This approach to AI deployment means that every pilot project note just based on security and privacy but rooted in equity. This request for information marks a major milestone for the AIWG, expanding its efforts from foundational policy and data protection work to a citywide call for innovative AI solutions. For information online, visit bit.ly/4o3bNvG.
— city of Oakland
PIEDMONT
City hosting Adult Recreation Expo at vets building Sunday
Whether you’re looking to get more active, find a creative outlet, learn new skills or just make friends, there’s way to do it in Piedmont! Explore the wealth of recreational, cultural, educational and civic activity opportunities this small city has to offer from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo at the city’s Veterans Memorial Building.
Now in its second year, the expo offers a chance to browse options and speak directly with organizers from more than two dozen programs and classes offered through the Piedmont Recreation Department, Piedmont Adult School and other local programming providers, all under one roof.
The Adult Recreation Expo grew from the work of a Recreation Commission subcommittee on older adult programming. After reviewing existing activities throughout Piedmont and nearly 500 responses to a community survey, the subcommittee identified lack of knowledge about existing opportunities as a primary barrier to connecting adults with the activities they were interested in. The expo is meant to bridge this gap.
Representatives of civic, educational and cultural organizations like the League of Women Voters, the Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee and the Piedmont Beautification Foundation will also be on hand to share information about their work and how residents can get involved.
The Veterans Memorial Building is at 401 Highland Ave. in Piedmont, and a full list of the expo’s participating organizations and featured activities is available online at piedmont.ca.gov/adultrecexpo.
— city of Piedmont
Charity seeks donations for projects foreign and domestic
Piedmont-based charity Lantern Projects reports that donors’ September and October contributions have provided many supplies needed at various locations in the developing world and domestically, including maternal delivery kits, food, school furniture, solar lights, safety gear, animal sterilization supplies and more.
The organization notes that all donated funds received go to the projects, and every donation helps. For donation options and a list of the organization’s foreign and domestic projects that need funding, visit lanternprojects.org online.
— Lantern Projects
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