Voters’ data center backlash puts cities in the spotlight, experts say

Overwhelming voter opposition could spur new state-level regulations and push local officials to demand more from data center developers on infrastructure, utilities and community impacts.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 5, 2026

AI-powered assistance moves into physical spaces with AI City product

The kiosks offer personalized guidance and real-time assistance in on-site, a tech company says. In Santa Clara County, California, a mayor’s hologram is giving the answers.

By Ryan Kushner • Nov. 4, 2026

These 6 US cities are demonstrating AI leadership: ThoughtLab

Data management, infrastructure management and cybersecurity were among the top applications for AI in cities, the survey found.

By Ryan Kushner • Nov. 3, 2026

Website upgrade lets users explore 50 years of Los Angeles records

Users can seamlessly track legislative items and follow City Council meetings and agendas on the Los Angeles Office of the City Clerk site, the office says.

By Ryan Kushner • Nov. 2, 2026

After the storm passes, can your city’s waste operation keep up?

Cleanup is essential to post-storm community recovery. Two cities show why the systems that drive it need to be in place before the weather turns.

Nov. 2, 2026

Facing critical PHP website vulnerabilities, cities urged to shore up systems

The threat to large and medium-sized local governments is categorized as high, and smaller local governments face a medium-level threat, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center said.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 27, 2026

Google unveils agentic AI for government services

The Gemini offering is capable of policy analysis, Freedom of Information Act redactions and assisting with procurement compliance, the company says.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 21, 2026

Confidence in public-sector AI adoption may be outpacing control, survey finds

Less than 20% of state and local government information technology professionals say they have a formal AI governance framework in place, a UserEvidence survey found.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 15, 2026

5 ways legal AI can get it wrong (and how to catch each one)

A single bad citation can cost you. Spot the 5 ways legal AI gets it wrong. Here’s how to fix them.

By Katie Wolf • Oct. 9, 2026

Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events

Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026

Data centers are stress-testing local governments. Here are 5 strategies to rein them in.

Tools including zoning and permitting can address transparency, infrastructure, community benefits and other concerns, panelists at a Southern Environmental Law Center event said.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 29, 2026

State AGs push Congress for AI safety, transparency

Their proposal would pause AI research until the creation of a federal department that would regulate the technology.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 28, 2026

As AI threats grow, governors propose more guardrails — including a ‘kill switch’

California, New York and Illinois governors unveiled AI oversight initiatives. President Donald Trump has pledged not to hinder the industry’s momentum.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 23, 2026

OpenAI, GSA extend discounted AI services to local governments

A multiyear agreement removes a $15 monthly licensing fee for governments. The federal arrangement with the AI provider will extend to local governments for the first time.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 21, 2026

D.C. landlords agree to $9.3M settlement over RealPage rent-setting allegations

Mid-America Apartments and JBG Smith agreed to financial penalties and restrictions to resolve allegations they used the technology to inflate rents and share confidential housing data. 

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 16, 2026

Rising costs, compliance pressures are top challenges for public procurement leaders: survey

More than 40% say their departments are not prepared to implement AI, Euna Solutions found.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 16, 2026

Airbnb’s $250M housing accelerator program to start in Austin, Texas

The short-term rental company is committing the long-term investment toward multifamily housing development and pledged support for local pro-housing policies.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 15, 2026

2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Award Winners: Solving real community needs

Addressing energy costs, housing, transportation and community engagement, these initiatives exemplify the innovation that helps cities and counties improve residents’ lives.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 10, 2026

The Smart Cities Dive Awards

To highlight notable people and projects in U.S. city, county and regional government, Smart Cities Dive presents the Public Service Awards and the Community Project Awards.

By Rachel H. Pollack • Sept. 10, 2026

How one Florida county is using data to help vulnerable residents keep their homes

An early-warning system in Jacksonville, Florida, uses AI to protect generational housing from institutional investors. The initiative is a 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Award winner.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 10, 2026

AI transparency is key for local governments, residents say

Residents' comfort with AI use in local government is holding steady, but rollouts must be thoughtful, a PayIt survey found.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 9, 2026

AI oversight still lacking in NYC despite city progress: state audit

The city has “partially implemented” state recommendations to bolster AI governance, the New York State comptroller found.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 3, 2026

Local government is fragmented. Here’s how AI is helping residents navigate it.

Virtual assistants are searching across agencies and data sets to deliver answers, maps and resources through simple, conversational questions.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • Sept. 3, 2026

Water cybersecurity gets federal boost in 10 cities and Texas

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is putting nearly $12 million behind water-system cybersecurity and resilience as the White House connects Texas utilities with free cyber defense resources.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 1, 2026

Weather, wayfinding, wait times: How government digital signage can keep things fresh

Governments are diligent about keeping digital signs updated, but opportunities to take full advantage of the signage remains, a Kitcast report found.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 1, 2026