Six more U.S. cities join Bloomberg data alliance
The cities of Austin, Texas; Boston; Dallas; Denver; Kansas City, Missouri; and Newport News, Virginia, are joining the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, the organization announced last week.
With the announcement, membership of Bloomberg’s City Data Alliance program, which launched in 2022, grows to 80 cities from 12 countries across North and South America. It is designed to help local governments of large and midsized cities modernize crucial resident services using advancements in technologies like data analytics, digital services and artificial intelligence.
As part of the membership, participating cities receive technical assistance to train their staffs with new capabilities. They also receive access to innovation specialists to help with modernizing services and how residents access them, and access to a network of peer governments with which to exchange strategies.
“As emerging technologies increasingly succeed at cutting costs, speeding benefits, forecasting weather, modeling responses, designing infrastructure, and enhancing resident satisfaction, these local governments will receive expert support to build on their strong data practices – applying the next generation of digital and artificial intelligence tools to create housing, reduce homelessness, make areas kid-friendly, install parks within walking distance of neighborhoods, and more,” the announcement read.
The program will also help the cities modernize and improve certain legacy, paper-based processes — such as permit applications, benefits access and 311 services — using generative AI. AI, the news release continued, offers a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to both quickly find and fix systemic issues, and to cultivate trust in government.
“As Boston works to be a home for everyone and continues moving forward, it’s more important than ever to make smart decisions, use our resources effectively, and incorporate feedback and improvements to do more and better,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a news release. “The Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance accelerates data, digital, and AI within city governments so we can lead the way in delivering results. I’m grateful for our partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and look forward to Boston’s participation in this program to better support our residents and families.”
