How Forerunner is using AI in Practice

Local stormwater managers, code officials, and building officials face several challenges in completing the work that’s needed to protect their communities. Many municipalities experience staffing shortages and other constraints that hinder their ability to process permits, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with regulations. 

AI presents a promising solution to alleviate these challenges by automating administrative tasks and enabling local governments to do more with fewer resources. Municipalities can leverage AI-powered automation to ensure critical tasks, such as permitting, compliance checks, and risk assessments, are completed efficiently and accurately, alleviating administrative burdens and reducing manual labor requirements. 

At Forerunner, we believe AI should be a force multiplier, not an obstacle or replacement for staff. Our approach is grounded in the principle of Human-in-the-loop design, ensuring that technology supports human expertise.

Forerunner serves as a modern operating system for the built environment. Our geospatial platform centralizes data - including FEMA flood maps, NFIP records, and local datasets - to provide the accurate, structured foundation AI needs to be truly effective.

We currently use Responsible AI in four key ways to create a more intelligent, streamlined workflow:

AI Assistant: Your Digital Partner in the Field

The AI Assistant helps teams complete large, complex, and time-sensitive forms faster without compromising accuracy.

How it works: It translates high-level field notes and observations into required forms.

The Impact: This eliminates the friction of manual data entry, speeds up form completion, and ensures consistent documentation across different users and scenarios.

AI-Powered Summaries and Photo Analysis

To improve the accuracy of inspections and reporting, AI analyzes images and identifies variations or potential violations.

How it works: The system generates concise summaries of property conditions or regulatory compliance based on uploaded photos.

The Impact: Staff can identify issues instantly, leading to faster reporting and more accurate record-keeping.

AI-Powered Error Detection‍

Our platform leverages machine learning to extract data and apply smart logic to flag inconsistencies.

How it works: When a document like an Elevation Certificate (EC) is uploaded, the platform automatically runs hundreds of validation checks to identify clerical or compliance issues.

The impact: This reduces the manual burden of document review, ensuring accurate submissions for programs like the Community Rating System (CRS), and reducing the risk of costly rework.

Intelligent Letter and File Generation

‍Our AI reduces the administrative burden of communication by auto-generating specific documents for residents and property owners.

How it works: By linking to federal, state, and local codes, Forerunner can intake an inspection record and automatically draft a letter - such as a code violation notice -referencing the exact regulatory sections needed.

The Impact: This speeds up notification timelines and increases transparency, allowing staff to focus on mitigation rather than paperwork.

Powering the Future of the Built Environment

As climate-related disasters intensify and community needs become more complex, the need for smart, accessible tools will only grow. Forerunner serves as a modern operating system, centralizing data and automating administrative tasks while maintaining oversight.

Because we believe in Responsible AI, our features are built on a trusted foundation. With Forerunner, AI isn't just a trend - it's a catalyst for tangible change in how communities operate and stay resilient.