Breakthroughs in AI are creating powerful opportunities for cities to enhance economic competitiveness, improve social outcomes, and modernize citizen services. But realizing this potential requires urban leaders to overcome critical challenges related to governance, data, skills, and public trust. To help cities succeed in the AI era, ThoughtLab is launching Building a People-First, AI-Powered City—a comprehensive, evidence-based research program designed to equip city decision makers with a clear and actionable roadmap for creating a human-centered, AI-powered city.

Guided by a coalition of more than 40 city officials, academics, and executives from sponsoring companies—including Dell Technologies, FedEx, FTI Consulting, General Motors, Intel, Itron, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Wireside Communications—the research draws on a survey of 525 senior officials in 215 cities, a review of 363 city AI plans, and interviews with leaders from government, business, and academia. Built around an AI maturity model that benchmarks cities across eight pillars of best practice, the program will give city leaders a free AI playbook and the interactive AI City Navigator, offering practical insights into using AI responsibly to transform how their cities operate, grow, and deliver value to residents.