Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

The City of Gatineau is embracing artificial intelligence to enhance how it delivers services to
residents, starting with a recently concluded pilot project that used AI-equipped vehicles to
detect potholes. The trial, run in 2024, involved installing CityRover technology on a municipal
truck to automatically identify road damage during routine drives. Data on pothole size and
location was collected and used to determine the most efficient repair routes.

While the early results showed promise—improving both detection speed and operational
planning—the city has noted that further development would be required before the system is
fully integrated into daily operations. A more robust framework is being considered for both data
collection and processing for any future rollout.

Beyond road maintenance, Gatineau is looking to AI as a broader tool for modernizing municipal
functions. Internally, city officials have acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in areas
such as administrative workflows, resident interaction, and resource allocation. The aim is not
only to boost efficiency, but also to offer more responsive and personalized public services.

However, the city is approaching AI adoption with a deliberate and measured stance. Officials
stress the importance of clear guidelines and ethical safeguards before any system is put into
regular use. To that end, a municipal directive outlining the appropriate use of artificial
intelligence has been developed and will soon be shared across departments.

In parallel with local efforts, Gatineau is also participating in wider collaborations. It has joined a
research partnership led by the Urban Resilience and Innovation Institute, focusing on AI’s role
in climate adaptation. The goal is to improve long-term infrastructure planning by using
predictive data models to respond more effectively to environmental changes.

The city’s wider AI roadmap includes potential upgrades to resident services like automated
registration for recreational programmes, streamlined invoice processing, and a 24/7 digital
assistant on the municipal website. The virtual assistant would offer residents on-demand
access to frequently requested services and information, reducing reliance on office hours and
manual responses.

Oversight of these efforts is being handled by a steering group formed late last year in
collaboration with Gatineau’s Scientific Council. This group is tasked with ensuring that each AI
initiative aligns with both practical needs and ethical standards.

Gatineau isn’t alone in this technological pivot. Municipalities across Canada, including
Winnipeg, Victoria, and smaller centres like Nicolet and Saint-Lin-Laurentides, are exploring AI
for everything from smart lighting to permit automation. Yet, while enthusiasm is widespread,
many towns face hurdles, such as upfront investment and limited in-house expertise.​

To support these smaller jurisdictions, the Union des municipalités du Québec is hosting a
conference in Drummondville this June. The event will give municipal teams a chance to share
strategies, swap lessons learned and explore how AI can meet their local challenges.
Gatineau’s AI lead, Ana Flavia Alves, is set to represent the city at a global summit in Dunkirk
later this summer.

From the beginning, officials have underscored one point: AI isn’t about replacing human staff.
Instead, it’s a way to free up time and energy for tasks that require human judgement, empathy,
and decision-making. The city also places strong emphasis on privacy and cybersecurity,
favouring internal systems that reduce the risk of data exposure.

Photo: Gatineau is charting a cautious but ambitious path toward integrating artificial intelligence
into city services, beginning with a promising pothole detection pilot aimed at improving road
repairs and overall service delivery for residents. (TF) Photo: Tashi Farmilo