The City of Winnipeg is moving ahead with a new artificial intelligence-driven invoice automation system after a pilot project showed promising results.
The system uses optical character recognition (OCR) to extract key data from supplier invoices, reducing manual processing, cutting down on errors, and accelerating payment times. The initiative is projected to save the city more than $730,000.
“This is about making every dollar go further,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “By cutting down on manual processing and reducing errors, we’re saving money, speeding up payments, and freeing up staff time for more complex work.”
The project, rolled out in phases, will soon integrate directly with the city’s financial software, with further automation planned. A permanent committee is also being formed to guide future AI projects and propose funding in the 2026 budget.
“This is a smart investment that pays for itself,” added Councillor Matt Allard. “This is just the beginning of how we can use AI to improve service, lower costs, and build a more modern city government.”
