Hi, it’s Michelle, and it’s time to talk AI on the latest episode of the Government Video Podcast. We’re joined by Ernesto Aguilar, the executive director of radio programming and content innovation at San Francisco’s public-supported radio station, KQED.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how cities communicate, but the pace of change makes it difficult for municipal teams to know where to begin. That’s why Aguilar offered a practical roadmap. His work with AI in a major public media organization mirrors the challenges municipal video and communication teams face today.
The core message is simple: Technology may evolve quickly, but the mission of public information remains the same. Cities exist to build trust through clarity, accuracy, and human connection. Ethical AI should support that mission rather than compete with it.
Keeping People at the Center
Aguilar emphasized that public media is in the relationship business, not just the information business. Cities and counties operate in the same environment. After all, residents look for a credible voice during emergencies. They depend on updates that help them navigate services or understand a local issue. While technology can create efficiencies, it should never disrupt the authenticity of that relationship.
For many city departments, there is still anxiety around AI. Staff may worry about being judged for using it or fear that it signals their work is being replaced. Aguilar has seen this dynamic inside newsrooms as well. His perspective is that AI should assist with tasks, not take over the work that involves judgment and empathy.
Human oversight remains mandatory. He notes that even basic AI generated transcripts still require a careful review. The errors may be small, but accuracy is what earns public trust.
The first step in designing any ethical AI workflow is revisiting the mission. For a city, that mission has not changed. Departments still need to demonstrate transparency, protect residents in a crisis, and show the community that their voice matters. When a team begins with clarity on its purpose, AI becomes an opportunity rather than a threat.
Cities already hold massive amounts of media in the form of long meetings, public forums, and constituent feedback. AI can help summarize trends, identify recurring concerns, and surface what residents consistently ask about. This is where tools become genuinely powerful. They help departments understand what to explain more clearly on websites or which topics could be elevated into short videos.
Safe, Transparent, and Collaborative AI Practices
As organizations experiment with AI, stigma and gatekeeping can become barriers. Aguilar has seen staff hesitate to discuss their AI use because they fear criticism. Others may discover useful techniques but keep them to themselves. “There is absolutely a worry for staff who are using AI and perceptions of what that is,” he warned.
For city departments, this can slow progress and increase inconsistency across teams. The solution is intentional transparency.
Aguilar described how KQED uses open conversations, shared working groups, and even anonymous input to encourage staff to talk about what they are trying, both what works and what fails. Municipal teams can do the same. When staff share their experiments, leaders can identify patterns, create internal guidelines, and prevent the silos that often complicate local government media strategies.
Larger organizations may build purpose-made internal tools. Smaller cities may rely on commercially available platforms. Both can benefit from setting clear expectations. However, staff need to know which tools are approved or prohibited, as well as how to review AI outputs for safety and accuracy.
Ethical AI is not only about choosing the right tools. It is about ensuring every piece of content that reaches the public has meaningful human oversight.
Aguilar also emphasized the importance of processing audience data responsibly. Cities can use AI to analyze resident comments, chatbot interactions, or meeting transcripts. From this, departments can create more responsive communication plans and more relevant short form content. This supports stronger government media website strategies and helps residents find what they need through better VOD search experiences.
Experimentation still requires caution. In some cases, AI can save significant time. In others, it can create more work because humans must correct what the tool produced. Teams should regularly evaluate whether AI makes a workflow more efficient or more complicated. Ethical use includes knowing when not to use AI at all.
Where Cities Go from Here
Ethical AI does not replace people. It expands the reach of human judgment and strengthens the bond between a city and its residents.
As Aguilar explained, people remember who gave them clarity during confusion. They remember who delivered calm during a crisis. AI can support that role when implemented thoughtfully and transparently.
For municipal IT directors, AV managers and video specialists, this moment offers a chance to modernize media workflows for government while protecting the trust that makes public information meaningful. AI is a powerful tool, but it is the people behind the technology who maintain the integrity that communities rely on every day.
Need more clarity on how you can use AI in your workflows? Get more details from our Government Video Podcast.
Event Replay - Demystifying Closed Captioning: What WCAG 2.1AA Really Requires for Government Video
Get clarity on WCAG 2.1AA captioning requirements. Learn what’s required, what’s recommended, and how to keep your government video content compliant.
.png)
.png)
.png)
