The artificial intelligence revolution is here. Article after article lists AI implementation as the key trend that will shape 2026. From predictive traffic management to automated permitting, AI is enhancing interactions between local governments and residents. The potential is massive: quicker responses, more innovative infrastructure and fairer access to public resources. But cities cannot — and should not — figure out how to navigate this technological revolution on their own. There is an urgent need for a national framework that encourages innovation while establishing clear guardrails to manage AI risks better and protect data privacy.
Cities are in a unique position to test these innovations. We are agile enough to experiment and are held accountable for the results. When AI optimizes bus routes, shortens emergency response times or speeds up housing applications, our residents feel the impact immediately. In Alexandria, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is partnering with Virginia Tech on a smart intersections pilot that uses AI to detect near-miss traffic accidents and generate data to better design our roadways.
That said, being so close to residents also makes cities uniquely vulnerable to certain risks. Without national standards, local governments could deploy AI systems that differ widely in quality, fairness and transparency. One city might implement an algorithm to allocate housing resources, while another might use AI to inform policing strategies. If each creates its own rules, it could lead to fragmented policies that confuse businesses, damage public trust and leave residents with inconsistent protections.
As mayors, we also recognize that our cities are often resource-constrained. We rarely have the technical expertise in-house to evaluate complex AI systems. We cannot force large multinational companies to disclose proprietary algorithms or enforce national standards for accountability and security. And while cities can innovate locally, they lack the scale needed to ensure systems work seamlessly across jurisdictions — an essential requirement for cities such as Alexandria and Newport News that sit at the center of deeply connected, complex regions. If a transit app operates smoothly in one city but fails in another, that fragmentation undermines the very efficiency AI is meant to provide.
That is why mayors across Virginia and throughout the country are coming together to plan how AI can be strategically applied across city services. We are sharing ideas, asking hard questions and exploring new pathways for service delivery. Still, AI presents inherent risks, biases and ethical challenges that are evolving faster than cities can manage on their own.
This is where federal leadership must step in. A national AI strategy would provide the structure and scaffolding cities need to innovate responsibly. It would establish clear national guardrails, standards for transparency, bias mitigation, privacy protection and accountability. This framework would reassure residents that AI systems are being implemented ethically and consistently, regardless of where they live.
A national strategy would also promote innovation. Federal support for development, training and infrastructure would prevent cities from reinventing the wheel or duplicating efforts. We could take successful local pilots and scale them into national programs. This would broaden their impact and allow best practices to be shared quickly.
A national approach is also key if we want to remain globally competitive. In the coming years, AI will drive economic growth and shape global power dynamics. China has already invested heavily in national AI initiatives. In Newport News and Alexandria, we see firsthand the need for a coordinated, competitive strategy. If the United States is driven purely by fragmented local efforts, then we risk falling behind. A unified approach allows America to lead on both technical and ethical governance, ensuring that our democratic values shape the future of AI.
AI is already transforming city services for the better and modernizing public service. But we cannot continue this transformation alone because the stakes are too high and the opportunities are too great. America needs a national AI framework and strategy that empowers local innovation while maintaining clear, consistent standards. Only then can we fully harness AI’s potential to build brighter, fairer and more resilient communities nationwide.
Alyia Gaskins is the mayor of Alexandria. Phillip Jones is the mayor of Newport News.