By: Chelsea McCullough, Strategic Advisor, Smart Cities Connect
Smart Cities Connect makes it possible to connect with smart city leaders from across the U.S. and around the world who are all actively working to improve their local communities. I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation with Emily Yates, who is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Emily is an urban policy expert with more than two decades of experience leading innovation teams on a global scale. Prior to joining SEPTA, she was the Smart Cities Director for the City of Philadelphia, Deputy Director for Envision Charlotte, and led Urban and Regional Policy for the German Marshall Fund. SCC is been lucky to benefit from her significant experience and inspiring perspective and it is a pleasure to share her insights.
Chelsea: What do you think is the biggest opportunity for smart cities in 2025?
Emily: In 2025, one of the biggest opportunities for smart cities is using AI and real-time data to proactively manage urban systems. Cities already collect massive amounts of data from sensors, transit networks, and mobility platforms, but the next step is applying AI-driven analytics and predictive modeling to make that data actionable.
Key Areas of Opportunity:
- Smarter Transit & Micromobility Integration – AI can help predict demand, optimize routes in real time, and improve first-mile/last-mile connections.
- Sustainability & Resilient Infrastructure – Predictive analytics can enhance energy management, reduce emissions, and make infrastructure more adaptive to climate challenges.
- Data-Driven Equity – AI can identify service gaps and help ensure public resources—like transit and emergency response—are distributed more effectively.
Interactive Public Spaces – Sensor-enabled environments can improve pedestrian safety, enhance green spaces, and support economic activity. - Cybersecurity & Responsible AI Use – As data collections increase, so does the need for strong privacy protections and ethical AI practices
Given my focus at SEPTA on sustainability, mobility, and business innovation, there’s a lot of potential in AI-powered dashboards, e-ink displays for real-time transit updates, and data-driven decision-making in mobility hubs. It’s an exciting time to explore how these technologies can make cities more efficient, resilient, and accessible.
Chelsea: Given your enthusiasm for the use of AI and real-time data, what do you think is/are the biggest obstacles to achieving that vision or goal?
Emily: The biggest challenges to making this vision a reality are:
1. Data Silos & Integration Issues: Cities/public agencies collect a ton of data, but it’s often trapped in different systems that don’t talk to each other. AI is only as good as the data you feed it so without better integration, it’s hard to get the full picture or use AI effectively. Fixing this isn’t just a tech issue—it requires coordination, collaboration, and leadership to break down silos.
2. Funding & Competing Priorities: Smart city projects don’t come cheap, and the public sector is always balancing limited budgets. AI-driven infrastructure and transit tech need sustained investment, but funding is often inconsistent. Public-private partnerships and creative funding strategies are key to making things happen. Especially since right now federal support for innovation and sustainability efforts is uncertain, making it even harder for cities to plan long-term investments.
3. Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Risks: The more data agencies collect, the bigger the security risks. Without strong privacy protections and cybersecurity measures, AI-driven solutions could introduce new vulnerabilities. Agencies need clear data governance policies and strong public trust to move forward. Cybersecurity and data privacy aren’t always prioritized at the federal level, leaving agencies to navigate these challenges on their own.
4. Adoption & Resistance to Change/ Changing the Culture: Public agencies aren’t always quick to adopt new technology—sometimes for good reason. AI and automation require a mindset shift, and that takes time. Pilots, clear success metrics, and strong leadership are critical to getting buy-in. But without strong federal guidance or incentives for adoption, progress will be uneven.
5. Equity & Accessibility: Referencing point 1, if AI models are built on incomplete or biased data, they risk reinforcing existing inequities. Smart city solutions need to be designed with equity in mind, ensuring they benefit all communities, not just those with the most access or resources. However, with less focus on equity-driven policy at the federal level, agencies may struggle to ensure these technologies truly serve everyone.
For my work, these challenges are also opportunities—helping SEPTA figure out integration strategies, find funding pathways, and bring stakeholders together will be essential in making smart city solutions actually work. But it’s clear that without stronger national leadership and investment, we will be left to do much of this work on our own.
Chelsea: Emily, tell us about your journey to becoming a smart city leader? Did you always imagine being in this professional sector?
Emily: I started my career with a degree in landscape architecture, drawn to the way design shapes how people interact with cities. But rather than following a traditional design path, I found myself taking on roles that focused on how city systems work—and, more importantly, how they can work better.
Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of positions, always at the intersection of infrastructure, mobility, sustainability, and technology. Whether it was leading sustainability initiatives, improving transit accessibility, or spearheading cross-agency collaborations, my work has always been about making urban systems more efficient, equitable, and resilient.
Given that focus, it’s no surprise that I ended up in smart cities and innovation. To me, smart cities aren’t just about tech—they’re about using data and emerging tools to solve real problems, improve quality of life, and help cities function at their best. With a background that blends design thinking, policy, and operations, I bring a systems-level approach to innovation—one that’s not just about what’s possible, but about what’s practical and impactful.
4 – If you could change one thing about the smart cities sector, what would that be? How would you influence the future?
If I could change one thing about the smart cities sector, it would be how difficult it is to get buy-in—both from the people implementing new technology and the decision-makers funding it. Too often, great ideas stall because there’s skepticism, risk aversion, or just too many competing priorities. Convincing agencies, leadership, and the public that these investments are worth it takes time, and even when there’s enthusiasm, outdated infrastructure makes implementation far more complicated than it should be.
I’d focus on two key areas to influence the future:
- Making the case for smart city investments more effectively – This means shifting the conversation from abstract innovation to clear, tangible benefits: reduced costs, increased efficiency, improved equity, and better experiences for residents. More pilots, better data storytelling, and stronger alignment with existing priorities can help break through the hesitation.
- Modernizing infrastructure to support integration – Too many systems—especially in transit—are outdated, disconnected, and difficult to link. I’d push for more funding and policy focus on upgrading foundational infrastructure, so cities can actually take advantage of smart technology without it being a patchwork effort.
If we can lower the barriers to adoption and integration, smart cities can move from being a niche conversation to something that truly transforms urban life at scale.
Thank you, Emily! Your voice is a touchstone for the smart cities community.