Oakland, CA Launches ‘Town Alive’ to Boost Economy and Promote Equitable AI

In a bid to rebuild its local economy post-pandemic, the City of Oakland is rolling out Town Alive, a new initiative aimed at re-energizing commercial corridors, supporting small businesses, and integrating community-focused innovation. Introduced by At-Large Councilmember Rowena Brown, the program establishes Economic Activation Zones across the city, combining cultural, commercial, and technological development into a single coordinated effort.

Town Alive is built on two pilot components: Entertainment Zones and Responsible AI Activation Zones.

Entertainment Zones are designed to enliven city streets with outdoor cultural festivals, family-friendly events, and expanded alcohol sales during permitted events, leveraging state legislation (SB 969). Initial pilots include the Jack London District, Broadway Valdez/Northlake, Temescal, and Uptown Downtown. Each zone will operate under detailed Management Plans crafted by the Economic & Workforce Development Department in partnership with local agencies, including OPD, OakDOT, and OPW. Plans include safety, programming, and logistics requirements, such as age verification for alcohol consumption and the use of uniform non-glass, non-metal cups. Future zones can be established through Council approval and tailored management plans.

The second pillar, Responsible AI Activation Zones, positions Oakland as a hub for equitable, community-centered technology innovation. These zones serve as programming and educational centers, hosting professional conferences, civic tech pilots, internships, and workforce development initiatives. The program emphasizes preparing local workers, particularly from historically disadvantaged communities, for careers in AI while ensuring transparency, inclusion, and bias reduction in technology deployment. The pilot hubs are located at Laney College (Downtown), Unity Tech Hub (Fruitvale, in partnership with Google), and Mills College at Northeastern University (East Oakland).

Town Alive is administered through the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation (OFPI), a nonprofit tasked with piloting innovative strategies for Oakland residents. The City approved a grant agreement of up to $1 million over two years (FY 2025–2027), with $500,000 allocated annually to launch the program. The initiative is slated to begin in Spring/Summer 2026, with future funding expected from private and philanthropic partnerships, including collaboration with the Kapor Foundation.

City officials say Town Alive represents a strategic effort to blend cultural vibrancy with economic opportunity, while positioning Oakland as a national leader in responsible AI adoption and equitable innovation.