Town officials say the data could help businesses with staffing, inventory and promotions during slower months
Initial Overview of AI Technology The Town of Longboat Key, Florida, is deploying a new AI technology called Placer.ai to track foot traffic across the island. This system anonymously estimates visits from mobile devices to various locations such as beaches, parks, and businesses. It scales anonymous signals to reveal data patterns, including visit duration, peak times, and visitor demographics (local, seasonal, tourist). The town emphasizes that the technology does not identify individuals, track specific phones, or provide exact headcounts; all reports are aggregated, and sensitive locations are excluded to protect privacy. The data aims to help local businesses understand footfall trends for strategic planning, especially during the off-season. Town manager says data will be shared with businesses Longboat Key Town Manager George Landry announced that the foot traffic data collected by the AI technology will be distributed to local businesses. The goal is to assist these businesses in developing better strategies, particularly during the slower off-season. Landry emphasized that small businesses are crucial to the quality of life on Longboat Key and that providing them with useful information can help ensure their continued success and service to the community. Business reaction Hal Christensen, General Manager of Harry’s on Longboat Key, a business operating for 47 years, highlighted the drastic difference between peak and off-season foot traffic, noting that the restaurant is busy only 12-16 weeks a year. He confirmed that they often close during slower months, like September, due to lack of business. Christensen expressed his support for the town's initiative to gather more data, believing that any information regarding visitor origins and destinations would be beneficial for businesses. Some visitors have concerns The implementation of AI tracking technology has not been met with universal approval. Tayvin Galanakis, a visitor from Iowa, voiced his discomfort with the system, stating he does not believe it is a positive development for tracking people's foot traffic, especially while they are on vacation. What’s next Town Manager George Landry outlined the next steps for the AI technology, indicating ongoing collaboration with businesses to identify their specific data needs. The current phase involves a small-scale trial, with Placer.ai being tested at a few select locations over the next six months. Following this trial period, the plan is to implement the technology more broadly across Longboat Key.
Initial Overview of AI Technology
The Town of Longboat Key, Florida, is deploying a new AI technology called Placer.ai to track foot traffic across the island. This system anonymously estimates visits from mobile devices to various locations such as beaches, parks, and businesses. It scales anonymous signals to reveal data patterns, including visit duration, peak times, and visitor demographics (local, seasonal, tourist). The town emphasizes that the technology does not identify individuals, track specific phones, or provide exact headcounts; all reports are aggregated, and sensitive locations are excluded to protect privacy. The data aims to help local businesses understand footfall trends for strategic planning, especially during the off-season.
Town manager says data will be shared with businesses
Longboat Key Town Manager George Landry announced that the foot traffic data collected by the AI technology will be distributed to local businesses. The goal is to assist these businesses in developing better strategies, particularly during the slower off-season. Landry emphasized that small businesses are crucial to the quality of life on Longboat Key and that providing them with useful information can help ensure their continued success and service to the community.
Business reaction
Hal Christensen, General Manager of Harry’s on Longboat Key, a business operating for 47 years, highlighted the drastic difference between peak and off-season foot traffic, noting that the restaurant is busy only 12-16 weeks a year. He confirmed that they often close during slower months, like September, due to lack of business. Christensen expressed his support for the town's initiative to gather more data, believing that any information regarding visitor origins and destinations would be beneficial for businesses.
Some visitors have concerns
The implementation of AI tracking technology has not been met with universal approval. Tayvin Galanakis, a visitor from Iowa, voiced his discomfort with the system, stating he does not believe it is a positive development for tracking people's foot traffic, especially while they are on vacation.
What’s next
Town Manager George Landry outlined the next steps for the AI technology, indicating ongoing collaboration with businesses to identify their specific data needs. The current phase involves a small-scale trial, with Placer.ai being tested at a few select locations over the next six months. Following this trial period, the plan is to implement the technology more broadly across Longboat Key.
