San Diego is expanding artificial intelligence use across its 13,000-strong workforce through centralised governance, workforce training and practical deployments. The city completed its AI policy and governance framework in 2024, bringing together the Department of IT, Human Resources, Office of Race and Equity, City Attorney, City Clerk, public safety, communications and performance and analytics teams. All city employees completed mandatory training on the policy before San Diego began deploying tools including Microsoft Copilot 365, Google Gemini and Copilot Chat in 2025. Rapid adoption led the city to establish a cross-functional AI centre of excellence, which manages AI strategy, governance, standards, data enrichment, risk management, security, infrastructure, change management and financial oversight. An AI launchpad on the intranet provides access to policies, approved solutions and training, with an intake process for departmental proposals; an AI governance subcommittee has reviewed 33 use cases submitted so far. Employees access weekly live sessions, lunch-and-learns, office hours and tailored guidance. A survey following the Microsoft Copilot 365 deployment estimated annual savings of 47,500 employee hours, equivalent to US$3.8 million in value. Most respondents said the technology improved work accuracy, and most said withdrawing it would cause significant disruption. The city is working with Google on an AI-supported procurement workflow developed in response to California’s AB 339, which took effect on 1 January and requires government agencies to give labour organisations 45 days’ notice before certain