The Agentic City

What will it take for cities to harness the transformative potential of AI while ensuring it is secure, accountable, fair, and effective? The Agentic City, a new applied research initiative at Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Hub, is working with municipalities, researchers, and industry partners to answer that question. The initiative bridges emerging AI governance and the practical realities of local government, helping cities identify strategic opportunities, explore new technologies, and build the frameworks needed for responsible deployment. Its 2026–27 agenda focuses on defining the emerging field of agentic AI, catalyzing city-led experimentation and pilots, identifying governance and accountability needs, and developing pathways to scale successful innovations.