The city council of Sheffield, Alabama voted unanimously to buy a subscription to SuperGrok, an AI platform, at its highest-capacity tier. The city says it will use the tool to keep track of city projects, not to replace staff.
At a glance
| Item | Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Council vote | Unanimous | WAFF 48 |
| Platform and tier | SuperGrok, highest-capacity tier | WAFF 48 |
| Cost | $3,000 (annual or one-time not stated) | WAFF 48 |
| Grant-funded projects | Five at once | WAFF 48 |
| Population | 9,416 (July 1, 2025 estimate) | U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts |
What Sheffield is buying and why
WAFF 48 reported the purchase on September 23, 2026. The city has five grant-funded projects running at the same time, on top of its regular work. Mayor Bryan Van Devender described the tool as a way to track what the city is doing and to coordinate the forms, stakeholders, and outside firms and agencies involved. With about 9,416 residents, per the Census Bureau, staff are few and the paperwork load is large for a city that size.
Any city employee can use the program, but no one has to. The rollout is expected soon, because the program is new.
The guardrails the city describes
The AI did not fill a position or lead to any hiring. Engineers and contractors still do the physical work, and staff still answer phones and handle resolutions and money, according to the mayor. The system cannot send or post anything until a person reviews it and sends it. When an AI tool is tracking legal and grant deadlines, accuracy matters, and that human review requirement is the city’s main safeguard.
Why It Matters to You
- If you live in Sheffield, the aim is for a small staff to keep five grant-funded projects on track and not lose a form or deadline along the way.
- The mayor says no jobs are affected, and a person has to review anything before it goes out.
- The rollout hasn’t happened yet, so there is nothing to see in practice.
What we don’t know yet
WAFF doesn’t say whether the $3,000 covers one year or is a one-time fee. The city has not reported any results. The tool is new and the rollout is still ahead, so there is no evidence yet that it prevents missed deadlines.
Quick answers
Will the AI replace any Sheffield employees? The mayor says no. The AI did not fill a position or lead to any hiring.
Can the AI send messages on its own? No. WAFF reports it cannot send or post anything until a human reviews it and sends it.
Do employees have to use it? No. Any employee can use it, and no one is required to.
Will it change my taxes? The reports give no information about tax effects. The purchase is $3,000.
Sources
- WAFF 48: ‘A tool to help’: Sheffield City leaders approve usage of artificial intelligence to help with city projects (Sep 23, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFacts, Sheffield city, Alabama (accessed Oct 13, 2026)