The many faces of artificial intelligence (AI) are top of mind for our members. It was the top issue identified in our most recent member survey, and a frequent topic of discussion when members gather. Earlier this year I was invited to the Large Cities Executive Forum and AI was a topic of innovation and excitement as well as concern and frustration.

We hear about innovative applications for practical AI tools, and we also hear concerns about the strain data centers are having on our local infrastructure and utilities. There is an interest in regulating the local impact, and other levels of government are interested in pushing aside local government’s ability to implement those regulations.

ICMA has a long history of helping our members navigate technical issues. One of the important leadership challenges we face is translating technical issues to inform effective policy decisions. In 1973, one of our longstanding ICMA publications, Management Information Services, was dedicated to helping our members navigate the evolving technology of word processing! Technological changes—from word processors and computers to the internet, smart cities, cybersecurity, and now AI—have been constant in local government management and service delivery.

Continuing this tradition, this month’s PM is focused on AI and automation and how our members are implementing new technologies to enhance service delivery in their communities. We also share insights from a recent MissionSquare Research Institute survey. MissionSquare’s Research Institute is an important partner for ICMA in sharing insights our members care about, especially as they relate to workforce issues.

Our upcoming Local Government Reimagined Conference (LGRC) in Orlando, April 8–10, is focused on The AI Edge. This is an opportunity for you to learn from peers and identify practical and scalable solutions for your own jurisdiction. Local Government Reimagined is ICMA’s innovation brand, and the conferences are curated experiences that focus on key issues our members are wrestling with.

A smaller conference allows teams of employees from the same organization to share a learning experience and collaborate on how emerging applications can be adapted in their own community. We hope you will consider who from your community could benefit from this experience. Registration is open at lgr.icma.org.

Another valuable resource for local governments is the GovAI Coalition. The GovAI Coalition is led by the city of San Jose, California, but brings together parties of interest from all levels of government and sizes of jurisdictions. Members hail from Lisbon, Maine (population 9,700) to Doral, Florida (population 83,000) to Juneau, Alaska (population 32,000), and include large jurisdictions like San Jose and St. Paul, Minnesota. GovAI offers templates and resources that are truly for communities of all sizes.

I hope you find practical insights in this month’s PM, and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming ICMA event in 2026!

JULIA D. NOVAK, ICMA-CM, is executive director of ICMA.