Town of Whitby Marks Canada’s First AI Literacy Day by Showcasing How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Local Services

The Town of Whitby is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve services, support staff, and modernize how residents interact with their local government. As municipalities across the country explore the potential of AI, Whitby is already putting it into practice in meaningful, measurable ways.

Whitby’s approach focuses on practical, responsible use of AI to enhance service delivery, reduce administrative burden, and create more capacity for high-value work that requires human judgment and care. 

AI in action at the Town of Whitby includes: 

• Internal AI working group (“AI Disruptors”): A cross-functional team dedicated to challenging traditional processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and exploring how AI can be used effectively across the organization. 
• WhitBEE chatbot: Launched in February 2026, WhitBEE helps residents and staff quickly find accurate information and navigate Town services. In its first two months, it answered 3,390 questions with a 93 per cent success rate—averaging more than 400 questions per week. Notably, for three of Whitby’s most inquired-about services (swimming lessons, garbage collection, and property taxes) the chatbot has achieved a 100 per cent success rate. WhitBEE continues to learn and will improve the user experience the more it’s used.
  • What’s next: integration with GIS to enhance WhitBEE’s ability to provide location-based information and more precise responses for residents and staff - for example, enabling someone to ask where the closest park is to their address.
• StreetScan: Is a vehicle that’s packed with high-tech radar and sensors that collect real-time data on things like potholes, cracks, and surface wear on roads. The information collected helps the Town prioritize which roads need repairs, so maintenance can be done at the right time, in the right places, in a cost-effective way.
• Operational efficiencies: The Town is partnering with local university co-op students to help further develop and explore AI uses cases in departments like finance, IT, and planning and development. AI is being used to streamline administrative tasks, improve consistency, and free up staff time for higher-value work that directly supports the community.
• Responsible implementation: The Town has started to establish clear processes, guiding principles, governance, and guardrails to ensure AI is used ethically, securely, and in alignment with public service values. 

These actions are part of Whitby’s ongoing efforts to use technology to plan better and get the most value for residents. It aligns with Pillar Four of the Town’s Community Strategic Plan: Whitby’s Government – Accountable and Responsive, which focuses on modern service delivery, strong governance, and continuous improvement. 

Whitby’s work also aligns with the goals of Canada’s first AI Literacy Day on March 27, 2026, an initiative led by MediaSmarts to help people better understand and engage with AI safely and responsibly. 

As AI continues to evolve, the Town is focused on building capacity across the organization—ensuring employees have the tools, training, and support they need to adopt AI confidently and responsibly. 

Quotes

“AI is not a future concept — it’s already reshaping how work gets done and how services are delivered. Our expectation is simple: the Town of Whitby will continue to move ahead. We will not get left behind. AI helps us work smarter. It’s about removing friction, improving consistency, and giving our people more time to focus on meaningful, high-value work that directly serves our community.” 

-          Matt Gaskell, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Whitby

“This is a great example of how innovation can directly improve the resident experience. By using AI thoughtfully, we’re making it easier for people to access information, connect with services, and engage with their local government. AI isn’t something we’re asking people to figure out on their own, we’re building this together, step by step. It’s about delivering excellent service today while preparing for the future.”

-          Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

For media inquiries, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Erin Mikaluk
Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca