US cities’ outlook for 2024

Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.

By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024

GM CEO: ‘We are committed to Cruise’

Despite investigations, ongoing safety concerns and a $2.7 billion loss last year for the robotaxi unit, General Motors CEO Mary Barra insists the “technology is sound.”

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 31, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Local governments are increasingly turning to predictive analytics and other technologies to solve real-world problems like homelessness and preparing for an AI-driven future.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Drones are changing emergency response in this Pacific Northwest city

Bellevue, Washington, has used drones to monitor crowd safety on Independence Day, locate a person fleeing arrest and photograph a car crash scene.

By Paige Gross • Jan. 29, 2024

NOAA releases high-resolution land cover data to boost coastal climate resilience efforts

The new data is 900 times more detailed than what the agency previously provided. Local leaders have asked for such data for years, but it is often prohibitively expensive, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 26, 2024

Google’s top AI tools for cities in 2024

Tools that identify disaster risks and aim to reduce vehicle emissions were among those a top Google executive highlighted at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting last week.

By Paige Gross • Jan. 23, 2024

Smart city ‘sandbox’ lets San Antonio residents play with technology

The community events collect public feedback on tech initiatives, provide access to tech-based community services — and make tech fun for kids, city officials say. 

By Joan Mooney • Jan. 19, 2024

What’s next for mobility innovation? This venture capitalist has some ideas.

Nicole LeBlanc, a partner at Toyota’s investment arm, Woven Capital, is optimistic about the talent and innovation coming to cities.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 18, 2024

6 trends that could shape US cities in 2024

Cities will contend with a shifting transportation picture, increased urgency to act on climate change, and innovative policies and technologies to address longstanding concerns.

By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski , Rachel H. Pollack • Jan. 17, 2024

What US cities could look like in 2024: 6 predictions

Safer, greener communities with more housing, greater civic participation, and diversified downtowns are what these experts envision for the coming year.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 2, 2024

Cities: Our time is now

In recent years, cities have faced myriad challenges. Technological advancements in government operations and significant federal investment into cities are driving transformative change.

Dec. 18, 2023

GM’s Cruise dismisses 9 top executives amid robotaxi safety probes

The autonomous vehicle company believes new leadership is key to rebuilding trust after one of its robotaxis hit a pedestrian in October, according to a company memo viewed by Reuters.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 15, 2023

‘If we want smart cities, we have to give them data,’ IoT expert says

Yale faculty member and AI, machine learning and IoT expert Andrei Khurshudov discusses the issue of privacy in smart cities and how AI can play a role in decision-making.

By Paige Gross • Dec. 15, 2023

Ford, Resideo to study how EVs can power homes

The automaker and smart home product company will test how Ford’s future electric vehicle batteries can reduce home energy costs.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2023

Smart city collaborations: Lessons from North Carolina’s Research Triangle

Tips on building trust, starting small and more from speakers at a recent summit, including a Dell Technologies industry workflow specialist and North Carolina State University’s director of cybersecurity practice.

By Paige Gross • Dec. 8, 2023

Authorities raise alarm on cyber threats against water, other critical sectors

Hackers affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are behind a series of attacks targeting devices used in U.S. water and wastewater facilities, according to federal agencies.

By David Jones • Dec. 5, 2023

What’s top of mind for New York’s first customer experience officer

About a month into the job, Tonya Webster discussed her priorities and how she plans to overcome siloed agency processes.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 22, 2023

Cruise CEO resigns amid safety probes into company’s robotaxis

The company’s robotaxi fleet remains grounded in California after one of the vehicles struck a pedestrian in downtown San Francisco in early October.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 21, 2023

Data sharing that drives value creation will advance the global smart society

It’s important to recognize the magnitude and scope of what is involved in developing and implementing technologies and systems to perform and capitalize on this data sharing at a city level, let alone a global one.

Nov. 20, 2023

Generative AI is here. This is how 5 cities plan to manage its use.

Guidelines aim to help government employees navigate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools while maintaining privacy, ethics and city values.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 16, 2023

3 steps for getting urban innovation pilots out of ‘purgatory’

A road map for New York City recommends taking a “challenge-based” approach to procurement and beefing up startup infrastructure.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 15, 2023

Billionaire-planned smart cities in the US: What’s the latest?

To date, most of these grand plans have made little progress and face scrutiny from residents, local governments and states.

By Adina Solomon • Nov. 13, 2023

GM halts production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi

The decision follows California regulators ordering Cruise to cease operations after a pedestrian was struck by one of its self-driving vehicles in downtown San Francisco.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 9, 2023

How cities can decarbonize delivery in the era of online orders

A new action guide by the National League of Cities points to emerging policies and technologies to combat increasing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 1, 2023

Legal fights over air taxi regulation stand in the industry’s way

The technology is largely there for short-haul urban rides to become a reality, but uncertainty over governing jurisdictions is one of the issues keeping the industry grounded.

By Ramona Dzinkowski • Oct. 30, 2023

Cruise recalls driverless robotaxis after halting operations in 3 cities

The General Motors subsidiary is grappling with two federal investigations and a recent incident in which one of its cars left a pedestrian seriously injured.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2023