Cities and waste facility operators turn to AI for recycling education revamp

As recycling rates stagnate, cities are testing smarter ways to help residents sort waste — from tamales to chopsticks — right at the bin.

By Leslie Nemo • July 31, 2025

Cost-savings (finally) within everyone’s reach: Proactive, whole-person care

Proactive care saves money & lives. See how one Ohio county saved $3M in one year.

July 29, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in Local Government

City officials are using AI-powered tools for everything from public safety to fiscal management.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

North Carolina installs 2,500 AI-based traffic signals

The largest live statewide deployment of AI-based traffic signal software in the U.S. will help traffic engineers improve signal operations, according to Flow Labs.

By Dan Zukowski • July 29, 2025

The Municipal Cost Index is now on Smart Cities Dive. Here’s what you need to know.

Since 1978, American City & County’s proprietary tool has helped local governments determine the cost of providing services to their residents.

By Michelle Havich • July 28, 2025

Bill looks to expand AI, cybersecurity resources for local governments

House lawmakers this week reintroduced the Smart Cities and Communities Act, which would allocate $1.1 billion for technology, but similar proposals have struggled to advance in the past. 

By Ryan Kushner • July 25, 2025

More than 30K warnings issued in first weeks of San Francisco speed cameras

Mayor Daniel Lurie sees automated traffic enforcement tools as a critical addition in the face of an understaffed police department.

By Dan Zukowski • July 18, 2025

Detroit deploys drones and AI to target building efficiency improvements

The city has partnered with startups and a tech incubator to test drone and AI technology that guides energy retrofits, saving time and money compared with traditional assessments.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated July 8, 2025

Mobility data creates traffic modeling opportunities, privacy challenges: MIT panel

Panelists from TomTom and StreetLight Data described the benefits of abundant data as well as some shortcomings and gaps.

By Benton Graham • July 1, 2025

Engaging and informing residents with AI and automation

Residents are harder than ever to engage, but AI is helping cities deliver impactful communications.

June 30, 2025

Uber Eats, Serve Robotics roll into Atlanta

The robotics firm will offer delivery to about 50,000 Atlanta residents as it continues expanding its partnership with Uber Eats.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 27, 2025

Smart loading zones help cities take back the curb

Successfully managing curb space with IoT-enabled loading zones hinges on enforcement, communication and coordination with all stakeholders.

By Karen Kroll • June 26, 2025

Municipalities tap AI for permitting

Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, are using the technology to cut wait times. Honolulu promises its use also will result in faster responses.

By Matthew Thibault • June 20, 2025

New AI tool helps cities respond to shrinking urban canopy

The open-source model helps cities monitor vegetation loss in real time and plan smarter greenery investments based on population density and vulnerability.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 16, 2025

Walmart to expand drone delivery to 5 more cities

Customers in Atlanta, Houston and more will be able to tap into the technology by next year as part of the retailer's deepening collaboration with Wing.

By Max Garland • June 11, 2025

How the Texas DOT uses AI

Artificial intelligence is helping traffic incident response and promises much more, department leaders said.

By Dan Zukowski • June 9, 2025

New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub

NYC and LA nonprofits expect BATWorks to nurture 150 cleantech startups, generate $2.6B in economic impact and create more than 600 green jobs.

By Danielle McLean • June 5, 2025

Harnessing Melissa location data to optimize city and county government operations

Accurate, accessible location data streamlines operations and enhances cost-effective county and city governance.

By Daniel Kha Le • June 2, 2025

With AI, post-tornado assessments could be ‘near-instantaneous’

Texas A&M researchers have developed a model that delivers comprehensive damage maps and recovery forecasts within hours of a storm.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 28, 2025

Innovative solutions to manage America’s invisible crisis: Water loss from aging infrastructure

Aging water infrastructure strains budgets, limits growth. The solution? AI technology + expertise.

By Peter Delgado • May 19, 2025

DoorDash, Wing bring drone delivery to Charlotte

Panera is among a handful of restaurants now offering drone delivery from a shopping center in the North Carolina city.

By Julie Littman • May 16, 2025

The 10 cities best prepared for a ‘smart city future’

A new city tops the ProptechOS Smart City Index in 2025 based on its tech infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability and tech job market. 

By Ryan Kushner • May 13, 2025

Behavior science, data could provide low-cost solutions to gun violence

The University of Chicago's Crime Lab director outlined resource-efficient strategies to enhance public safety in a recent webinar.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 17, 2025

Authorium steps into growing field of AI-supported government procurement products

Authorium's new AI tool was trained on 15 million government procurement documents and can generate statements of work “in minutes," the company says.

By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2025

Glendale, CA turns to digital tech to help with composting mandate

Learn more about the education-first strategies that helped Glendale, CA reach thousands of residents with actionable waste and recycling information and education.

April 7, 2025

Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.

Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.

By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025