Tech & Data

  • The exterior of a large convention center with a blue sky behind it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Addressing housing, climate change and AI in an unpredictable year

    Community leaders described their efforts to tackle those and other key issues at the annual National League of Cities' City Summit in November.

    By • Dec. 22, 2025
  • A round building with a large G and more buildings behind a U.S. and a Texas flag.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    As EPA moves to fast-track data centers, some cities are moving to slow them down

    The EPA is streamlining Clean Air Act permitting to accelerate development. Will local communities pay the price?

    By • Dec. 17, 2025
  • Digital data flow on road with motion blur to create vision of fast speed transfer. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Smart Cities Technology and Data

    Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (C), marches in the 54th Annual Buena Vista Labor Day Festival parade with Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Senator Ghazala Hashmi (R), and Democratic Nominee for Attorney General, former state Delegate Jay Jones.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Win McNamee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Virginia data centers must pay ‘fair share,’ incoming lieutenant governor says

    “There is new energy in this legislature, and with it a real opportunity to build new energy right here in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi.

    By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 17, 2025
  • U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump calls for federal policy framework preempting state AI laws

    Under a new executive order, states could lose federal funding if their AI laws are found to be burdensome.

    By Makenzie Holland • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An aerial view of a city with high-rise buildings, cranes and a blue sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bellevue, Washington, wants faster permitting. Can AI help?

    As the housing crisis rages on, cities are testing artificial intelligence to improve permitting processes.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • Real estate for sale sign in residential neighborhood, New Jersey, USA.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How AI is impacting homebuying

    A U.S. Government Accountability Office report shows the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to artificial intelligence’s growing influence in how people purchase homes.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • The front of a large brick building with flags in front of it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    In a tech-focused world, this city’s deputy CIO puts people first: Exemplary Public Servant Ryon Saenz

    Alexandria, Virginia’s Deputy CIO Ryon Saenz has tackled cybersecurity and department vacancy challenges with a human-centric approach.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
  • A person holding a phone with "Ai" and a box that says "prompt" above it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Congress mulls preempting state-level AI laws — again

    A coalition of state CIOs is asking Congress not to “strip states of their ability to address real AI risks in their communities.”

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • A customer presses the image of the ChatGPT app on their phone.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    City leaders ‘aren’t thinking big enough’ about AI, tech expert says

    A National League of Cities panel broke down how some cities are using artificial intelligence effectively — and how others can get started.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
  • Gavel sitting on cash
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    9 states reach $7M settlement with Greystar in rent-setting lawsuit

    The apartment giant will pay $7 million to the participating states and agree to strict new limits on its use of algorithmic pricing and data-sharing platforms.

    By Leslie Shaver • Nov. 24, 2025
  • The entrance to Mississippi's state capitol building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    States agree on AI’s economic advantage — whether they’re ready for it is another story

    While 88% of economic and workforce development leaders see the importance of artificial intelligence, only 6% of states have a plan to act on it, a new survey says.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
  • A skyline connected by Wi-Fi illustration.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kinetic
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Kinetic

    How safe and accessible Wi-Fi is changing the use of public spaces

    Turning public spaces into cultural hubs — powered by future-proof fiber and free Wi-Fi.

    Nov. 17, 2025
  • Aerial view of mobiel phone cell tower over forested rural area of West Virginia to illustrate lack of broadband internet service.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump called the Digital Equity Act ‘racist and illegal.’ This nonprofit is pushing back.

    The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is suing the Trump administration after its $25.7 million grant to bridge the digital divide was terminated.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • AI Artificial Intelligence technology for data analysis
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    AI is moving fast. This project aims to help states keep up — responsibly.

    The Rockefeller Foundation and Center for Civic Futures launched the AI Readiness Project to help public officials collaborate on artificial intelligence use.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025
  • Lock - CPU concept, abstract
    Image attribution tooltip

    iStock/BlackJack3D

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)

    Is your agency ready? Battling cybercrime and how NASPO can help

    Cyber threats are evolving. NASPO ValuePoint offers solutions for government agencies.

    By Kate Davila, Creative Accounts Director, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) • Nov. 10, 2025
  • A hand reaches out from a car to deposit a letter in a blue mailbox.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Neither rain nor snow nor digitization have stopped local governments from accepting payments by mail

    A recent Euna Solutions survey found 83% of local governments still accept payments through the post.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025
  • Yellow sign with graphic of a traffic signal reads "Red light photo enforced" over another yellow sign depicting pedestrians against a blurred backround of a city street.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    New York City will expand its automated red-light camera program

    Verra Mobility will add 450 more signalized intersections as part of an expanded agreement with the city's transportation department.

    By • Oct. 30, 2025
  • An aerial view of St. Paul, Minnesota depicts buildings and a bridge near a river.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    St. Paul, Minnesota, fell victim to a cyberattack in July. It’s still recovering.

    The city worked with the FBI and Minnesota National Guard in the wake of an incident that revealed the increasing severity of cyberattacks on cities.

    By • Oct. 30, 2025
  • The letters A and I stand on a digital background in a conceptual graphic designed to represent artificial intelligence.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How state CIOs are using GenAI

    More than 80% of state CIOs say their employees are using generative artificial intelligence in their daily work, a recent survey found.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
  • A traffic signal mounted horizontally on an overhead arm next to a camera.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How local governments are tackling traffic deaths with technology

    AI, automated traffic enforcement and connected vehicle technology are some of what cities and counties are trying to make their streets safer.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
  • An American flag and a flag bearing the seal of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (which features an eagle holding a shield with elements of a skyline on it) flank a large upright square panel bearing the same CISA seal. On the wall to the right of the panel and the flags, a row of digital clocks shows the time in the four major U.S. time zones.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Eric Geller/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump administration dismantles CISA division linking feds, cities and critical infrastructure

    Eliminating nearly 100 cybersecurity staffers severs key collaboration channels with cities, health systems and energy providers at a time when attacks on infrastructure are accelerating.

    By Eric Geller • Oct. 27, 2025
  • Worker and truck with crane along a ditch.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Lucas County, Ohio
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    How one county is benefiting from digital asset lifecycle management

    Lucas County, Ohio’s geographic information system-centered ALM system connects people, processes and data, greatly enhancing its infrastructure management and community development workflows.

    By Tina Mack and Michael Stormer • Oct. 27, 2025
  • Laptop open and user is accessing software
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Imprivata
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Imprivata

    Why modernization is the key to sustainable CJIS compliance

    Meeting CJIS requirements is driving agencies to modernize how they manage identity and access.

    Oct. 27, 2025
  • A sprawling urban landscape featuring densely packed residential and commercial buildings, streets, and intersections
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The Olympics are headed to LA. So is free Wi-Fi.

    Free public Wi-Fi is now available via streetlights in South Los Angeles as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    By • Oct. 23, 2025
  • View down a two-lane street with a red-painted bike line on the right and parked cars on both side of the street, which is lined with small shops.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    San Francisco speeding declines at locations with automated cameras

    Six months into the city’s speed camera program, drivers are operating below the speed limit at 15 measured sites.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025