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Future Cities — CEO of Smart City Expo USA Aarti Tandon

New technologies are unlocking urban potential in ways we’ve never seen before. How far can innovation go in solving our biggest city challenges?

This week’s VentureFuel Visionary is Aarti Tandon, CEO of Smart City Expo USA. She is a visionary leader at the crossroads of technology, entertainment, and justice, known for driving innovation that builds smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready cities.

With a diverse background as a lawyer, activist, and documentary producer, Aarti brings a unique perspective on how cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain can drive global competitiveness and uncovers how smart cities can shape a more modern and inclusive future for communities across America.

Future Cities — CEO of Smart City Expo USA Aarti Tandon

Episode Highlights

  • Unconventional Journey to Leadership – From law and entertainment to technology and justice, Aarti’s path to becoming CEO of Smart City Expo USA is non-linear but powerful. Her diverse experience shapes her unique vision for smarter cities.
  • Redefining ‘Smart Cities’ Beyond Tech Buzzwords – Aarti emphasizes that a truly smart city must tackle poverty, access to clean air and water, and public safety. It's not simply about sensors and IoT — it's about using technology to improve quality of life and create inclusive, future-ready communities.
  • Bridging the Knowledge Gap in City Leadership – Many U.S. cities lack the resources or awareness to deploy tech like AI and blockchain. Aarti notes that most municipal leaders don't have CTOs or global exposure, and Smart City Expo USA exists to fill that gap with practical insights and connections.
  • Global Best Practices and Real-World Solutions – The Expo features global innovations like AI sensors from Sand Technologies used in London's water systems. These are tools that could help prevent crises in underserved U.S. cities.
  • Future Tech With a Human Touch – Aarti shares a compelling story about a smart city initiative using “identic AI,” a technology that anticipates a person's daily needs. These span from optimizing routes based on traffic to reshuffling schedules for mental wellness.

 

 

Click here to read the episode transcript

 
 
 

VentureFuel builds and accelerates innovation programs for industry leaders by helping them unlock the power of External Innovation via startup collaborations. 

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