Cannes wins national award for use of AI in public services
Cannes City Council has received the 2026 Citizen Relations Award for its use of artificial intelligence to improve municipal services and make administrative work more efficient.
The award was presented in Paris on Thursday, 10 September, during the sixth edition of the Rencontres de la Relation citoyen, recognising an AI strategy launched by Mayor David Lisnard in 2023.
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The approach is based on a gradual and controlled use of artificial intelligence, with the aim of reducing repetitive tasks, speeding up administrative processes and allowing staff to spend more time dealing directly with residents.
Eight AI tools already in use
Over the past 18 months, Cannes has introduced eight AI solutions across its municipal departments.
They include tools for drafting and analysing documents, transcribing meetings, supporting public procurement and legal analysis, as well as systems used to assess roads, manage trees and improve urban cleanliness.
According to the City Council, 610 employees now use PRISME AI, while 250 are equipped with the Leexi transcription tool.
Around 1,300 staff members have also received AI training, and all 40 municipal departments now have access to at least one AI-based solution.
The city says the tools have already delivered measurable results.
Summarising annual reports from delegated service providers has been reduced from three days to around four hours, while 175 kilometres of roads and 8,000 road signs have been surveyed to help identify maintenance needs more quickly.
A digital monitoring system is also being used to track 15,000 trees in public spaces, compared with around 200 previously.
More AI planned for 2027
Mayor David Lisnard said the aim was not to replace municipal staff, but to allow them to focus on higher-value work and strengthen contact with residents.
Cannes plans to continue expanding its use of AI in 2027, with new assistants designed to improve analysis, make better use of internal data and provide faster, more accurate responses to residents.