San Antonio Plans ‘Human Points’ to Shield Small Firms from AI‑Driven Procurement

TL;DR: San Antonio will award extra points to vendors that prove work is done by humans, a move to protect local firms from AI‑generated web design services.

Context San Antonio’s procurement system currently gives bonus points to local, small, minority‑ and women‑owned businesses. A proposal now seeks to add “human points” that reward vendors whose output is primarily created by identifiable professionals rather than automated tools.

Key Facts - A McKinsey survey finds 92 % of companies plan to spend on generative AI tools within three years. - Over the past year, AI has taken over most communication tasks in San Antonio, from press releases to branding, according to a local communications firm owner. - That owner predicts that before the 2029 City Council election, the majority of small businesses will stop hiring web‑design agencies and will instead generate sites with a few AI prompts. - The city’s current scoring system already favors local and small firms; the new “human points” would require vendors to disclose how much AI they use and to name the human staff responsible for the work.

What It Means If adopted, the “human points” could tilt public contracts back toward traditional agencies that employ experienced designers, copywriters, and strategists. Vendors would need to prove a human‑centric workflow, potentially increasing transparency and accountability. For small businesses, the change offers a safeguard against being undercut by low‑cost, round‑the‑clock AI platforms that promise faster, cheaper websites.

Proponents argue that preserving human‑crafted work maintains the city’s economic character, keeps tax dollars circulating locally, and supports the trust built by long‑standing firms. Critics warn that adding points for human labor may raise costs for taxpayers and slow adoption of efficient technology.

The proposal is still under review, but its fate will signal how San Antonio balances innovation with the desire to protect its small‑business ecosystem. Watch for council deliberations and any pilot program that may test the “human points” scoring in upcoming public bids.