Realtor.com examined how cities are turning to AI to ease the permitting delays that drive up housing costs, even as a backlash builds against the data centers that power AI, with communities citing strain on local power and water. Jacksonville stands out on the upside. The city recently brought on SwiftGov for AI-assisted reviews of development plans, set to cut the compliance timeline from weeks or months to minutes. Jacksonville has also been automating reporting and dashboards with Microsoft.
"Our goal was simple: Make the process faster, more transparent, and easier to navigate for residents, businesses, and builders alike," said Jacksonville Chief Information Officer Wanyonyi Kendrick. "With technology, we are handling higher volumes, while delivering dramatic improvements in speed and service."
