Candace BarnetteExperts from around the world will take the stage at Smart City Expo USA, a national conference on smart city development. The headline speakers will share insights on the future of AI, infrastructure and urban innovation. Scheduled to take place at the Javits Center in New York City on April 2-3, the conference will bring together leaders from sports, business, technology and government to discuss advancements in AI-driven, resilient and technologically integrated cities.
Smart cities are growing at a record pace. Market forecasts from INFRA predict smart city infrastructure investments will reach $3.7 trillion by 2030. This conference intends to cover the needs of a rapidly expanding sector, highlighting the technologies, policies and partnerships that will drive sustainable growth.
Among the scheduled speakers:
- Étienne Thobois, CEO of the 2024 Paris Olympics, who played a role in organizing the sustainability-focused and technology-driven Olympic Games
- Joseph Bradley, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s TONOMOUS.NEOM, a project described as the world’s first cognitive city
- Miami Dolphins owner and Related Ross CEO Stephen Ross
- Alex Lasry, CEO of FIFA World Cup 2026 New York-New Jersey and former Milwaukee Bucks executive
These discussions will examine the influence of large-scale sporting events on urban planning, sustainability and infrastructure development.
“Smart City Expo USA is providing a platform for discussions on the evolving landscape of urban development,” said Aarti Tandon, CEO of Smart City Expo USA. “As the U.S. prepares to host global events like the FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics and F1 races, these conversations will explore the role of AI, security and transportation in urban planning.”
The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 attendees and 100 speakers, including representatives from government, technology and finance. Panelists will include representatives from OpenAI, Amazon Web Services, Accenture, NVIDIA and Amtrak, as well as mayors from cities such as Syracuse, Newark, Little Rock and Montgomery.
The 2025 theme, “Future-Ready Cities,” will focus on the intersection of AI, mobility and sustainability. Sessions will address topics such as autonomous transportation, electric vehicles, smart infrastructure, climate resilience and data security. Additional discussions will explore how major sporting events contribute to urban transformation and economic development.
More details, including a full list of speakers and panel topics, are available on the official Smart City Expo USA website.
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Netherlands Embassy via Wikimedia Commons
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