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Lancaster launches innovation and technology committee, eyes AI master plan and data center streamlining
Summary
Council heard that the city has launched an innovation and technology committee, appointed Cynthia Underwood deputy mayor for innovation, and is developing an AI master plan, community AI courses and streamlined permitting aimed at attracting data centers and medical-innovation partnerships.
Lancaster—s council received an update on the city—s new innovation and technology committee and early work to position Lancaster as a regional hub for AI and medical innovation.
Larissa (city innovation lead) said the city has formally launched the committee, named Cynthia Underwood deputy mayor of innovation and technology, and enlisted community members including Ben Gokey of Palmdale Regional Medical and Devon Burton of Antelope Valley Union High School. The committee is developing a master plan for AI infrastructure and is using approximately "36 programs" across city operations to improve permitting, code enforcement and public-safety analytics, Larissa said.
The council heard that the city is working to streamline development processes for data centers to bring jobs and investment, expand community education with AI courses at the community center next spring, and pursue partnerships with Palmdale Regional, Tarzana Treatment Center, City of Hope and UCLA on medical and behavioral-health pilots. Larissa said the committee will return with additional updates as projects progress.
Council members and the mayor praised the emphasis on local workforce development and regional partnerships, and asked staff to return with details about proposed permitting changes and community benefits. No formal policy or zoning action was taken at the meeting.
