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When you think about the future of cities, what comes to mind? For me, it’s a place where technology and community work hand in hand to make life easier, safer, and more efficient. That’s exactly what smart cities aim to achieve. But how do we get there? What are the key insights that can help local governments and municipal workers like you drive this transformation? Let’s dive into the world of AI for urban growth and explore practical ways to make smart city development a

Here's a number that should keep every city manager up at night: 42% of organizations abandoned the majority of their AI initiatives in 2025, up from just 17% the year before. Nearly half of all AI proof of concepts never make it to production. Now here's another number: 96% of mayors say they're interested in using AI. Two percent are actually implementing it. That gap tells a story. Municipalities across the country are eager to modernize, frustrated by understaffing, and w

You know that sinking feeling when you're staring down a 40-page grant application due tomorrow? Or when the city council wants a comprehensive analysis of last year's service requests by Friday? I've been there. For 15 years, I've lived it as a public servant, starting as summer help and a part-time firefighter straight out of high school. The day ChatGPT released, I recognized something fundamental was shifting. Not because I'm particularly tech-savvy, but because I immedia

Here's something that might surprise you. Giving your municipal team access to ChatGPT won't automatically make them more creative or innovative. In fact, without one critical element, that shiny new AI tool might not move the needle at all. Recent research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found something fascinating. When employees were given access to generative AI, only some of them became more creative. The others? No improvement whatsoever, despite having t

You know that sinking feeling when you're staring down a 40-page grant application due tomorrow? Or when the city council wants a comprehensive analysis of last year's service requests by Friday? I've been there. For 15 years, I've lived it as a public servant, starting as summer help and a part-time firefighter straight out of high school and advancing through hard work, ambition and creativity. The day ChatGPT released, I recognized something fundamental was shifting. Not b