Boston’s CIO wants the public — and other city governments — to use his open-source agentic AI tools

Boston’s CIO wants the public — and other city governments — to use his open-source agentic AI tools

https://statescoop.com/bostons-cio-open-source-agentic-ai-tools/

Publish Date: 2026-04-07 18:02:00

Source Domain: statescoop.com

Here are six key points summarizing the article on Boston’s use of agentic artificial intelligence by Chief Information Officer Santiago Garces:

1. Transformation of Open Data: Santiago Garces is utilizing agentic AI to convert Boston’s open data into actionable insights, making sophisticated analytical tools accessible not just for data analysts but also for residents.
2. MCP Server Implementation: In October, the city launched a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, an Anthropic-built software that enables a secure interaction of AI models like Claude with city data sources through Boston’s open data portal.
3. Developmental Partnerships: The AI tools were developed in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, with goals of enhancing transparency, improving policymaking, and broadening participation in data-driven decision making.
4. Open Data Accessibility: The AI agents interface seamlessly with Boston’s open data system, including datasets on city infrastructure, public services, property records, and service requests like pothole tracking.
5. Enhanced Workflows vs. Traditional Analysis: The new MCP server enhances the ability of AI agents to query and analyze the city’s data with more accuracy and security, streamlining complex analytical workflows compared to the former spreadsheet-dependent methods.
6. Public Accessibility and Educational Aim: Garces envisions turning the MCP server into a shared civic infrastructure, promoting broader access for both city employees and residents to perform advanced data analysis and promote civic engagement.

These high-level insights reflect the key thrust of the article, highlighting the vision and practical developments in Boston’s use of agentic artificial intelligence for public benefit.