City Selected for $3 Million Generative A-I in Local Government Grant

Published on January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
kjoy@wpb.org

(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

City of West Palm Beach Selected for National $3 Million Initiative to Advance Responsible Use of Generative AI in Local Government

Knight Foundation–supported program led by Harvard Kennedy School will help cities improve services, decision-making, and resident engagement

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The City of West Palm Beach has been selected as one of just 10 cities nationwide to participate in a new, $3 million initiative led by Harvard Kennedy School’s Data-Smart City Solutions, with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The three-year program will help cities responsibly harness generative artificial intelligence to improve government efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and enhance engagement with residents.

Building on more than a decade of work supporting local governments, Data-Smart City Solutions, housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, will help participating cities explore practical and ethical applications of AI in public service delivery, while assessing risks and establishing best practices.

“West Palm Beach is proud to be part of this national effort to thoughtfully and responsibly explore how emerging technology can improve how we serve our residents,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “From improving access to information to strengthening internal efficiency, our focus is always on using innovation in a way that is people-centered, transparent, and grounded in trust. This partnership allows us to learn alongside leading cities while ensuring technology enhances, not replaces, the human side of local government.” 

Through the initiative, West Palm Beach will benefit from shared learning, technical guidance, and collaboration with a national cohort of peer cities, bringing together local governments of varying sizes and contexts to learn from one another and exchange best practices. By participating, West Palm Beach joins cities across the country working collectively to help shape the future of civic technology and share insights that can benefit communities nationwide.

Participating cities include Charlotte, NC; Philadelphia, PA; San Jose, CA; St. Paul, MN; Long Beach, CA; Lexington, KY; Columbia, SC; West Palm Beach, FL; Boulder, CO; and Detroit, MI.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home