Six U.S. cities — Austin, Texas; Boston; Dallas; Denver; Kansas City, Mo.; and Newport News, Va., — have been selected to join the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, a program designed to help local governments expand their use of data, digital tools and AI in public services.
The City Data Alliance was launched in 2022 by Bloomberg Philanthropies with a $60 million investment. Its latest cohort, which includes 15 municipalities from North, Central and South America, brings the alliance’s participant total to 80 cities in 12 countries, representing more than 78 million residents.
During the program, from July through May 2026, each city will receive technical assistance and coaching from experts at the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, and gain access to peer-learning opportunities.
According to Bloomberg Philanthropies, participating cities were selected through an application process based on specific criteria such as demonstrating an existing data infrastructure, a clear vision for modernization and a commitment to using technology to improve outcomes for residents.
“Take, for example, Denver, Colorado — which stands out for all these reasons, including progress made on permitting and homelessness, the leadership role they are playing in cultivating the field through their DenAI summit, and their eagerness to use digital and AI to both improve operations — and get big things done,” Carrie Bishop, who leads data and AI initiatives for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation program, said via email. “This is the level of ambition and commitment we see across the city halls that comprise the current slate.”
Support, Bishop said, won’t follow a one-size-fits-all model but will instead be customized to meet each city’s needs. Each participant will get “hands-on, world-class coaching and support,” including from the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence program experts “who tailor their technical assistance based on each city’s strategic goals and challenges.”
Cities in the alliance differ greatly in size, location and local context, Bishop said, but they all bring valuable experiences with them. That’s why, she said, the alliance is designed not only to provide access to technical expertise, but also to create meaningful peer-to-peer learning opportunities among city officials.
“Real insights arise when city halls share lessons learned with each other, including when they have solved the same problems at a different point, or on a different scale,” Bishop said. “This structure ensures city halls push forward — together.”
Cities will be expected to report measurable outcomes during and after the program, and metrics will vary based on each city’s focus areas, which may include everything from housing, permitting reform, public space development, workforce development and service delivery improvements.
While the formal program concludes after 10 months, the journey for participating cities doesn’t end there, according to Bishop. The initiative is designed to help form lasting collaboration and continued growth, so the momentum built during the program translates into long-term impact.
“After the program period, these city halls remain part of this fast-moving alumni network and have access to ongoing learning through peer-to-peer sessions,” she said. This will include master classes with program experts, keynotes designed specifically for Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance municipalities, and more as part of the broader Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation program ecosystem and network.
