How Louisiana government agencies are using AI

Here are some ways they are using the technology.

Prison calls: The Department of Public Safety and Corrections was allocated $3 million last year for an AI tool that transcribes and analyzes incarcerated people's phone calls, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.

• The system is designed to flag possible criminal activity, self-harm and other public safety concerns.

Flood prediction: Ascension Parish partnered with LSU to use a new AI-powered flood prediction tool, the school announced in June.

• The pilot project combines real-time drainage data, weather forecasting and AI modeling to provide actionable information to help inform operating decisions.

Traffic cameras: The state's transportation department uses cameras with AI-powered traffic congestion technology on I-12 in Denham Springs, WBRZ reports.

• When the cameras detect a backup, the system alerts the electronic warning signs to start flashing to notify drivers of the congestion.

911 calls: In fall 2023, the Orleans Parish Communications District became the nation's first emergency call center to start using AI for 911 calls, Axios' Chelsea Brasted writes.

• The tool, made by Carbyne, is used when people call within 200 meters of an already-reported vehicle crash, according to an OPCD explainer, and only if all human dispatchers are already on calls.
• It has saved call takers at least two hours a day, the director told The Times-Picayune.

311 calls: OPCD in June started using an AI tool to handle some 311 calls, Gambit reports, about half of which are information requests.

• An AI agent was trained on the last three years' worth of 311 calls and programmed to sound "polite," according to the Times-Picayune.

French Quarter security cameras: Project NOLA, a not-for-profit company, uses a proprietary "mashup of multiple algorithms" for facial recognition in its camera network, Project NOLA director and founder Bryan Lagarde tells Axios.

• The facial recognition software has been active in New Orleans since 2022, mainly in the Quarter, Warehouse District and CBD.
• City laws currently don't allow the NOPD to use the results, but Lagarde says he regularly works with Louisiana State Police, the FBI and other federal agencies.

Flock cameras: Law enforcement in Kenner, St. Tammany, St. Charles and St. John are among the Louisiana agencies that use AI-powered automated license plate readers, according to the Shreveport Times.

• Go deeper for more about the controversial technology.

What we're watching: Mayor Helena Moreno, after she was elected last year, said she was interested in exploring ways to use AI to streamline City Hall processes.

• One idea presented in October was to use AI to provide more user-friendly search results for NOLA.gov and One Stop.
• No word yet on what future applications could be.