Stephen Goldsmith

I'm very pleased to share this #DataSmartCityPod ep that I recorded with Dr. Sara Naomi Bleich. Over the summer she spoke to our Chiefs of Staff cohort, and her talk was so important that I asked her to come on our podcast to share her insights & advice. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10...

We had a great conversation about the intersections of #design and #data work, the role of new #AI tools in our fields, and how to create neighborhood opportunity through policy and architecture. Be sure to subscribe to both the #DataSmartCityPod and Future of the American City.

It's an HKS x GSD crossover episode today: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-wald... I had the pleasure of connecting with a colleague at the @gsd.harvard.edu, Charles Waldheim, who hosts the Future of the American City podcast.

2/ His insights on #disastermanagement and how to prevent crises are incredibly important. As he explains, we need to use people, platforms, and data together to address some of the most urgent #publichealth and environmental issues facing cities today. Subscribe to #DataSmartCityPod to hear more!

How Cities Can Use Data to Transform Disaster Response | Data-Smart City Solutions Hear from Dr. Andrew Schroeder how cities can break down data silos and build integrated, actionable platforms to better respond to public health and environmental emergencies. Schroeder explains to h...

1/ I had the chance to talk with Dr. Andrew Schroeder ahead of the heat simulation workshop we're doing tomorrow, with the @centerforcities.bsky.social, The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at @harvard.edu, and other great partners. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c...

On our new #DataSmartCityPod, I spoke with frequent co-host and #govtech expert Santiago Garces datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/statgpt-futu...

We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app

Some great lessons in here, not just for parking/curb management but also any other area that needs better management, data, and competitiveness.

Many thanks to Miguel Carrasco for coming on the #DataSmartCityPod and talking #AI, #GenAI, & #government datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/07...

Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust

Policy Change, Technology Key to Better Curb Management June 9, 2025 Mobility

My latest piece on #mobility #parking and #curbmanagement, touching on the ideas of the late #DonaldShoup and looking at the potential of technology to "right size" costs and usage.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...

Exclusive: Mayor Bibb is Connecting Climate and Community Health in Cleveland June 4, 2025 Public Health

Happy to share that my full conversation with Cleveland Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social is available as an episode of the #DataSmartCityPod : datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ma...

We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.

2/ Check out the resources for mayors we shared at the conference: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/three-resour...

And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.

1/ Today is the first day of Air Quality Awareness Week #AQAW2025. At the recent African American Mayor's Association conference, I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social about how - and why - he's addressing air pollution in Cleveland.

Many thanks to Mayors Monroe Nichols and Libby Schaaf for coming to speak at our Project on Municipal Innovation convening. Thank you for sharing your energy and passion with our attendees, and for recording an exclusive Q&A for our podcast the #DataSmartCityPod. Available wherever you listen!

This is a critical resource for mayors, providing a roadmap that will help improve resident health and well-being - as well as provide economic returns. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/addressing-a...

A great panel today at #SmartCityExpoUSA with Shin-pei Tsay, Vítor Moreira, and Shannon Macika. Always a pleasure to talk #smartcities, #govinnovation, and bold solutions, while playing a little "smart city mythbusters."

I had a great conversation with two pillars in the field of #governmentinnovation, civic transformation, #AI #GenAI, possibility government...the list goes on, but having Mitch Weiss and @boston.gov Santiago Garces on the #DataSmartCityPod was such a treat. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/generative-a...

Diverse group of people sitting around a large square conference space

A great start to the morning at our Urban Heat Resiliency Design Workshop. Supported by RWJF, our Community Data Health Initiative is dedicated to advancing city-led solutions to extreme heat, and supporting leaders in their goal to make safer, healthier cities for everyone.

This morning I was honored to host business and academic leaders from Japan, to join in conversation at at Harvard University on the best international smart city practices. A great discussion on the abilities of new technologies and artificial intelligence. #collaboration #smartcities #AI

Pr. Stephen Goldsmith speaking to audience in a conference

Pr. Stephen Goldsmith at front of room, speaking to the audience at a conference

I had a great time last week in #Milan speaking at the Feel #GovTechForum. What an exciting group to be a part of, with such global leaders in #technology, #publicpolicy and #democracy. Many thanks to Marcello Coppa and team for hosting this event.

Mayors, Messaging, and Cutting Through a Fractured Media Environment March 12, 2025 Civic Engagement

Cameron Trimble spoke to our Chiefs of Staff network about how mayors can utilize local influencers, social media, & digital content to effectively share their messages. It was so important and relevant that I asked him to come on the #DataSmartCityPod. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/mayors-messa...

My latest white paper, out today 👇

"The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."

I could have spent another hour or two talking with Sarah and Santi. Incredibly important insights that are grounded in their work with constituents, and I'm excited to see more cities adopt this type of community-driven #GenAI work.

Collaboration can Enable an Age of AI Innovation February 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence

"Procurement can power change or stand in its way."

From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...

What awaits the Department of Government Efficiency? HKS experts on prospects for a radical new initiative The Trump administration aims to radically improve government efficiency. As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare to launch their initiative, Harvard Kennedy School experts lay out what possibilities...

"Unleashing the full power of change requires freeing federal employees to be more creative, data driven, & productive in their jobs. We need to remember that most public employees took their jobs in order to make a difference." #DOGE @harvardkennedy.bsky.social www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-rese...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Ford, from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco, about the principles of innovation + how to apply to our toughest urban challenges; in this case, homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-integrat...

I ceded my hosting duties for our first #DataSmartCityPod episode of 2025 and took on the guest role, to reflect on 2024 and discuss my predictions and ideas for this year. I hope you take a listen and let me know your thoughts - maybe even share your "lightening round" answers below!

Innovation Leadership Is Not Easy, but Tools, Help Are There As a new federal administration prepares to assume control, the GovAI Coalition Summit showed the local promise of artificial intelligence, from solutions available to the leaders ready to make them w...

Sharing some thoughts over at Government Technology today, reflecting on the past year and, most recently, the GovAI Coalition Summit. Many thanks @cityofsanjose.bsky.social, Mayor @mattmahansj.bsky.social, and the whole team that put this on and gave us this moment. www.govtech.com/artificial-i...

A Clear Vision: The NYC Clean Heat Plan December 9, 2024 Public Health

This case describes the amazing work of Mayor @michaelrbloomberg.bsky.social w/ PlaNYC. One of the world's preeminent examples of a city using regs, education + creative financing to make measurable differences in public health + serves as an example for how we are helping cities w/ similar actions.

And many thanks to Mayor @mattmahansj.bsky.social and Khaled Tawfik for bringing us to your city, and to the GovTech team for putting together such a great event.

2/ A big thank you to these powerhouse panelists, @eyalfeder.bsky.social, Arti Tangri, Carrie Bishop, and Enzhou Wang, who made moderating this session a great experience and shared fantastic insights.