AI and the Guest Experience Revolution: What Local Governments Can Learn from the Rise of Contactless Tech

Across hospitality, transportation, and local government, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how services are delivered, and how leaders make decisions. Quietly AI is already being used to streamline operations, improve oversight, and deliver better results for the public.

You’ve probably seen it in action:

• Self check-in at a vacation rental.
• A tax form that auto-populates.
• A maintenance alert sent before something breaks.

These small conveniences are powered by complex systems, and increasingly, those systems are making their way into city halls and government agencies.

For local governments managing short-term rentals (STRs), housing pressures, or limited compliance staff, AI isn’t some distant trend. It’s already a tool your peers are using—to cut costs, save time, and boost public confidence.

From Contactless Convenience to Smarter Government

The shift toward contactless technology in the private sector shows how AI can deliver frictionless, personalized, and scalable solutions. What started as a health precaution has become a guest expectation: keyless entry, automated messaging, predictive maintenance, dynamic pricing.

Contactless payment means making secure transactions without physical contact, using tools like Apple Pay, QR codes, or automated portals. A guest might book a rental, pay taxes, and access the property—all without face-to-face interaction. Behind the scenes, AI powers these seamless experiences through automation and real-time validation.

But the big lesson here isn’t about gadgets, it’s about system design. And government can apply the same thinking to improve how it identifies properties, manages compliance, and engages with residents.

How Governments Are Already Using AI (Safely)

From property oversight to infrastructure and public safety, AI is already helping governments operate more effectively. These aren’t pilot programs or futuristic experiments, they’re working systems improving lives today.

1. AI for Building Safety and Predictive Inspections

Technology Example: CityFlag Smart Inspection Prioritization (San Antonio, TX)

In cities like San Antonio, TX, governments use AI to prioritize building inspections based on risk. Tools developed by GovTech partners like CityFlag analyze data such as:

• Past code violations

• Permit and renovation history

• Neighborhood trends

This predictive approach ensures that the most vulnerable buildings are inspected first—improving safety outcomes and reducing wasted time.

2. AI-Powered STR Oversight

Technology Example: Deckard Technologies’ Patented Rentalscape Platform

More than 400 jurisdictions across the U.S. use Deckard’s AI-powered Rentalscape platform to manage short-term rental oversight. Rentalscape uses patented technology to:

• Monitor 15M+ listings across 10,000+ websites in real time

• Match online listings to physical property addresses

• Automate enforcement workflows and flag non-compliance

• Analyze tax collection, permitting, and occupancy patterns

It’s not just smart—it’s proven:

• Eastvale, CA resolved 285 compliance cases using Rentalscape

• Sandusky, OH reduced manual STR identification by 80 hours per cycle

• Tax collection increases of 40% or more are common with Rentalscape adoption

And in early 2025, Deckard Technologies received three U.S. patents for its AI systems—cementing its leadership in secure, government-grade technology for property oversight. Read the announcement →

3. AI in Traffic and Infrastructure Management

Technology Example: Miovision Smart Traffic Platform

Cities like Pittsburgh and Toronto use Miovision’s AI-enabled sensors to manage real-time traffic flow. These systems:

• Adjust signal timing based on congestion and pedestrian flow

• Reduce wait times, fuel use, and collisions

• Learn from past patterns to optimize future decisions

In other cities, predictive maintenance tools use AI to detect infrastructure failures before they happen, whether it’s a water main under stress or a broken streetlight.

The result? Fewer breakdowns, less emergency response, and more efficient public works.

AI That Builds Trust, Not Complexity

Whether it’s STR compliance or traffic management, AI doesn’t replace people, it helps them focus on what matters. Cities like Mount Pleasant, SC saw a 100% increase in usable STR data after switching to Deckard’s system. Eastvale’s code enforcement team moved faster, with more confidence, using AI-backed evidence.

These tools don’t require technical backgrounds. They don’t disrupt city operations. They’re built for local government teams—especially those working with limited resources, big challenges, and growing public expectations.

Final Thought

If you’re a city manager, planner, or clerk, AI may feel like an unfamiliar space. But the truth is: you’re probably already using it—and it’s working for you.

At Deckard Technologies, we build AI-powered platforms that local governments trust. Our tools like Rentalscape simplify short-term rental oversight, improve compliance, and help cities reclaim time and tax revenue that would otherwise be lost.

The guest experience revolution is just one example. The next revolution? Government that’s smarter, faster, and easier to trust.

Learn More: AI in Government Use Cases

1. Predictive Inspections – San Antonio, TX (CityFlag)
CityFlag Website: https://www.cityflag.co
GovTech Article: https://www.govtech.com/products/san-antonio-receives-smart-city-award-for-cityflag-app.html

2. STR Oversight – Deckard Technologies
Deckard Homepage: https://www.deckard.com
Press Release (Deckard Patents): https://blog.deckard.com/press-release-deckard-technologies-granted-3-u-s.-patents
STR Playbook for Government: https://deckard.com/STR-playbook

3. Smart Traffic Systems – Miovision
Miovision Traffic Management Overview: https://www.miovision.com/solutions/traffic-signal-management/
City of Toronto Smart Signals Program: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/transportation-projects/smart-signals-program/
GovTech Article on Pittsburgh Smart Signals: https://www.govtech.com/fs/infrastructure/pittsburgh-looks-to-expand-smart-traffic