ICYMI: @ojwise.bsky.social and I are proposing a new case for what we're calling "The Agentic City." Read our @fastcompany.com article below, and check out a recent episode of my podcast with Santi Garces and Mitch Wiess, Agentic AI Comes to City Hall: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/agentic-ai-c...

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · 6mo ago

We're excited to start this conversation about Agentic AI in local government: www.fastcompany.com/91500167/loc... Keep an eye out for an upcoming ep of our #DataSmartCityPod podcast on this same topic, plus more research and writing with @ojwise.bsky.social and @goldsmithongov.bsky.social to come!

We've launched our 1st listener survey: bit.ly/datasmartpod. Our goal w/ the #DataSmartCityPod is to provide you w/ the best info we can on how to innovate in government through creative & impactful applications of data & tech. Please take 5 mins to fill out this out, and thanks for listening!

Just published a piece @notusperspectives.bsky.social on a policy that I think we should scale nationwide: data‑literate, resident‑centered government. Increased constituent trust is possible if we empower gov workers, modernize tech, link data, & measure satisfaction. www.notus.org/perspectives...

Name and describe one state or local policy that should be tried across the country.

Saud Anwar, Cavalier Johnson, Jonathan Butcher, David Holt, Annelies Goger, Karen Freeman-Wilson, John W. Ewing Jr., Kara Gotsch, Bruce Katz, Stephen Goldsmith, Kate Garman Burns

notus.org

I'm very pleased to share this #DataSmartCityPod ep that I recorded with Dr. Sara Naomi Bleich. Over the summer she spoke to our Chiefs of Staff cohort, and her talk was so important that I asked her to come on our podcast to share her insights & advice. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10...

It's an HKS x GSD crossover episode today: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-wald... I had the pleasure of connecting with a colleague at the @gsd.harvard.edu, Charles Waldheim, who hosts the Future of the American City podcast.

2/ His insights on #disastermanagement and how to prevent crises are incredibly important. As he explains, we need to use people, platforms, and data together to address some of the most urgent #publichealth and environmental issues facing cities today. Subscribe to #DataSmartCityPod to hear more!

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · 12mo ago

How can cities respond better, & smarter, to disasters? datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c... #DataSmartCityPod Dr. Andrew Schroeder @directrelief.org & CrisisReady discusses the people, platforms, & data necessary to prevent & react to crises @goldsmithongov.bsky.social #DisasterResponse

1/ I had the chance to talk with Dr. Andrew Schroeder ahead of the heat simulation workshop we're doing tomorrow, with the @centerforcities.bsky.social, The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at @harvard.edu, and other great partners. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c...

How Cities Can Use Data to Transform Disaster Response | Data-Smart City Solutions

Hear from Dr. Andrew Schroeder how cities can break down data silos and build integrated, actionable platforms to better respond to public health and environmental emergencies. Schroeder explains to h...

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

On our new #DataSmartCityPod, I spoke with frequent co-host and #govtech expert Santiago Garces datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/statgpt-futu... We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app

Some great lessons in here, not just for parking/curb management but also any other area that needs better management, data, and competitiveness.

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · last yr.

Our newest article outlines how @boston.gov shook up a long-term contract and built a modular RFP that improves flexibility, data-sharing, and creativity: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/seeking-bett... Read below to learn how the team approached this project and what benefits they're already seeing!

Many thanks to Miguel Carrasco for coming on the #DataSmartCityPod and talking #AI, #GenAI, & #government datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/07... Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust

My latest piece on #mobility #parking and #curbmanagement, touching on the ideas of the late #DonaldShoup and looking at the potential of technology to "right size" costs and usage. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...

Policy Change, Technology Key to Better Curb Management

June 9, 2025 Mobility

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Happy to share that my full conversation with Cleveland Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social is available as an episode of the #DataSmartCityPod : datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ma... We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.

Exclusive: Mayor Bibb is Connecting Climate and Community Health in Cleveland

June 4, 2025 Public Health

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

2/ Check out the resources for mayors we shared at the conference: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/three-resour... And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.

Three Resources for Mayors: The Environment and Public Health

April 16, 2025 Public Health

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Stephen Goldsmith@goldsmithongov.bsky.social · last yr.

1/ Today is the first day of Air Quality Awareness Week #AQAW2025. At the recent African American Mayor's Association conference, I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social about how - and why - he's addressing air pollution in Cleveland.

1/ Today is the first day of Air Quality Awareness Week #AQAW2025. At the recent African American Mayor's Association conference, I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social about how - and why - he's addressing air pollution in Cleveland.

Many thanks to Mayors Monroe Nichols and Libby Schaaf for coming to speak at our Project on Municipal Innovation convening. Thank you for sharing your energy and passion with our attendees, and for recording an exclusive Q&A for our podcast the #DataSmartCityPod. Available wherever you listen!

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · last yr.

New episode alert! We have an exclusive conversation with fmr @cityofoakland.bsky.social Mayor Libby Schaaf and Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols on the #DataSmartCityPod datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ad... Listen on our site or wherever you get your podcasts for a fun, insightful conversation 🎧

This is a critical resource for mayors, providing a roadmap that will help improve resident health and well-being - as well as provide economic returns. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/addressing-a...

Addressing Air Pollution in Your Cities

April 16, 2024 Public Health

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · last yr.

New resource out today! A guide for mayors and city officials looking to address the health impacts of air pollution 👇 datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/addressing-a...

A great panel today at #SmartCityExpoUSA with Shin-pei Tsay, Vítor Moreira, and Shannon Macika. Always a pleasure to talk #smartcities, #govinnovation, and bold solutions, while playing a little "smart city mythbusters."

I had a great conversation with two pillars in the field of #governmentinnovation, civic transformation, #AI #GenAI, possibility government...the list goes on, but having Mitch Weiss and @boston.gov Santiago Garces on the #DataSmartCityPod was such a treat. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/generative-a...

A great start to the morning at our Urban Heat Resiliency Design Workshop. Supported by RWJF, our Community Data Health Initiative is dedicated to advancing city-led solutions to extreme heat, and supporting leaders in their goal to make safer, healthier cities for everyone.

This morning I was honored to host business and academic leaders from Japan, to join in conversation at at Harvard University on the best international smart city practices. A great discussion on the abilities of new technologies and artificial intelligence. #collaboration #smartcities #AI

I had a great time last week in #Milan speaking at the Feel #GovTechForum. What an exciting group to be a part of, with such global leaders in #technology, #publicpolicy and #democracy. Many thanks to Marcello Coppa and team for hosting this event.

Cameron Trimble spoke to our Chiefs of Staff network about how mayors can utilize local influencers, social media, & digital content to effectively share their messages. It was so important and relevant that I asked him to come on the #DataSmartCityPod. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/mayors-messa...

Mayors, Messaging, and Cutting Through a Fractured Media Environment

March 12, 2025 Civic Engagement

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

My latest white paper, out today 👇 "The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · 2y ago

New research out: examining 6 components of successful change management, based on cities awarded SMART grants. Insights from @goldsmithongov.bsky.social can help cities advance their curb management regardless of funding, with an emphasis on digital infra. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/case-study-c...

I could have spent another hour or two talking with Sarah and Santi. Incredibly important insights that are grounded in their work with constituents, and I'm excited to see more cities adopt this type of community-driven #GenAI work.

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · 2y ago

🎧Hear how small language models can revamp community engagement #DataSmartCityPod datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/power-commun... @goldsmithongov.bsky.social, Santi Garces @boston.gov, and Sarah Williams @mitofficial.bsky.social discuss how #GenAI is transforming how cities - and residents - use data.

"Procurement can power change or stand in its way." From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...

Collaboration can Enable an Age of AI Innovation

February 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

"Unleashing the full power of change requires freeing federal employees to be more creative, data driven, & productive in their jobs. We need to remember that most public employees took their jobs in order to make a difference." #DOGE @harvardkennedy.bsky.social www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-rese...

What awaits the Department of Government Efficiency? HKS experts on prospects for a radical new initiative

The Trump administration aims to radically improve government efficiency. As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare to launch their initiative, Harvard Kennedy School experts lay out what possibilities...

hks.harvard.edu

I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Ford, from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco, about the principles of innovation + how to apply to our toughest urban challenges; in this case, homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-integrat...

I ceded my hosting duties for our first #DataSmartCityPod episode of 2025 and took on the guest role, to reflect on 2024 and discuss my predictions and ideas for this year. I hope you take a listen and let me know your thoughts - maybe even share your "lightening round" answers below!

Data-Smart City Solutions@datasmartcities.bsky.social · 2y ago

New year, new episode! Host @goldsmithongov.bsky.social and producer Betsy Gardner swap roles to discuss all things data, digital governance, AI, and policy-making from 2024. Listen to Pr. Goldsmith's reflections, and a look ahead to 2025, below! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/year-review-...

Sharing some thoughts over at Government Technology today, reflecting on the past year and, most recently, the GovAI Coalition Summit. Many thanks @cityofsanjose.bsky.social, Mayor @mattmahansj.bsky.social, and the whole team that put this on and gave us this moment. www.govtech.com/artificial-i...

Innovation Leadership Is Not Easy, but Tools, Help Are There

As a new federal administration prepares to assume control, the GovAI Coalition Summit showed the local promise of artificial intelligence, from solutions available to the leaders ready to make them w...

govtech.com

This case describes the amazing work of Mayor @michaelrbloomberg.bsky.social w/ PlaNYC. One of the world's preeminent examples of a city using regs, education + creative financing to make measurable differences in public health + serves as an example for how we are helping cities w/ similar actions.

A Clear Vision: The NYC Clean Heat Plan

December 9, 2024 Public Health

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu