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Cities join forces with CTI and NVIDIA to accelerate AI adoption
03 November 2025
by Cities Today Institute
On the opening day of the Smart City Expo in Barcelona, the Cities Today Institute (CTI) unveiled the City Innovation Network, a new global platform designed to help cities integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies more effectively.
The initiative brings together 25 founding cities from North America and Europe, including Dublin, New Orleans, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Prague. The network will officially launch its regional chapters in Miami and Dublin in early 2026. It builds on CTI’s decade-long collaboration with chief information and innovation officers, offering cities a structured, peer-driven environment to scale innovation, strengthen workforce capacity, and ensure that digital transformation delivers measurable community impact.
“The formal designation of the CTI Community of Communities into a City Innovation Network is the right tool to take forward the insights we have developed over recent years and to produce policies and white papers that will drive civic innovation, initiate shared pilots and continue to share best practices,” said Kimberly W. LaGrue, Chief Information Officer for New Orleans, who will serve as President of the new network in North America. “I’m excited to take the next step in this journey with CTI.”
AI collaboration with NVIDIA
The network is supported by NVIDIA, marking a significant step forward in public sector AI adoption. CTI said the collaboration responds to growing demand among city leaders for practical tools to leverage AI in policymaking, operational efficiency, and citizen engagement.
AI-driven data insights, the Institute added, can enhance evidence-based decision-making, optimize resource management, and support emergency and crisis response. Regional executive committees—led by city CIOs and Smart City Directors—will oversee implementation, with Dublin chairing the European group.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming how cities operate and deliver services—we are just at the beginning of this journey,” said Jamie Cudden, Executive Manager for Corporate Services & Transformation, Dublin City Council. “Our focus in Dublin is on using AI responsibly — ensuring transparency, accountability, and prioritising community benefit. By working with other global cities through this network, we can share best practices, build capacity, and develop the governance frameworks that ensure AI delivers real value and impact for our communities.”
Practical tools and partnerships
City members will gain access to leadership workshops, practical case studies, and peer-to-peer exchanges. A partnership with Columbia University’s CS3 urban solutions program will connect members with academic researchers, while CTI will sit on the program’s advisory board.
“We have been dedicated to developing solutions for cities and their residents over the last ten years,” said Bob Bennett, Chair of CTI and former Chief Innovation Officer of Kansas City. “The City Innovation Network formalises many of our existing relationships and bonds among city leaders, academic institutions and partners.”
As the secretariat, CTI will coordinate activities and partnerships while advancing data governance and proof-of-value initiatives. The Institute said the network is designed to ensure that AI adoption in local government remains ethical, transparent, and focused on outcomes that benefit citizens.
For more information, visit city-innovation.net.
The Cities Today Institute is the events, memberships, training and research arm of CTI Media Group through which Cities Today provides news and updates on urban development.
