San Francisco’s Office of Emerging Technology gets the green light
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously in favour of the proposal to set up a new office to manage permit applications for technology-based services that use public infrastructure.
The Office of Emerging Technology, introduced by Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee, will be part of San Francisco’s Department of Public Works and assess new technology deployments on whether they “ultimately result in a net common good” as well as on costs and benefits.
Cities have faced challenges with ensuring regulation keeps pace with innovation, particularly San Francisco which is a hotbed for start-ups and has seen everything from electric scooters to delivery robots rolled out on its streets and sidewalks.
In cities around the world, there have been clashes and legal challenges around new high-tech services relating to licencing, taxes, employment, safety and more.
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