Anil Seth
Director, Centre for Consciousness Science, U. of Sussex | Bestselling Author & TED Speaker | AI, Consciousness & the Neuroscience of Self
Stephen Goldsmith
Derek Bok Professor of Urban Policy, Harvard Kennedy School | Director, Data-Smart City Solutions | Former Mayor of Indianapolis & NYC Deputy Mayor
Stephen Goldsmith is Harvard's foremost authority on data-driven urban governance, bringing the rare perspective of a two-term mayor, NYC Deputy Mayor, and leading academic. At Harvard Kennedy School, he directs Data-Smart City Solutions and researches how AI transforms city performance. Audiences gain a practical, evidence-based roadmap for using technology to govern smarter.
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Stephen Goldsmith biography
Big data speaker Stephen Goldsmith is the Derek Bok Professor of the Practice of Urban Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and Director of Data-Smart City Solutions at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. One of America’s foremost authorities on urban governance, technology, and public-sector innovation, he has spent decades helping cities harness data to become more responsive, equitable, and efficient — across roles that span elected office, federal advisory work, and academic leadership.
As the 46th Mayor of Indianapolis, Goldsmith served two terms and built a national reputation as a pioneer of public-private partnerships, competitive contracting, and privatization — transforming city operations in ways that were studied and replicated across the country. He later served as Deputy Mayor of New York City for Operations under Mayor Bloomberg, overseeing the NYPD, FDNY, Sanitation, and Buildings departments while advancing a technology-driven innovation agenda that included the launch of the 311 Service Request Map and multiple public-private partnerships. Earlier in his career, he served as District Attorney for Marion County, Indiana, and as Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps). In 2000, he was the chief domestic policy advisor to the George W. Bush presidential campaign.
From City Hall to the Harvard Classroom
At Harvard, Goldsmith directs the Project on Municipal Innovation — a convening of senior leaders from major U.S. cities — and hosts the Data-Smart City Pod, a podcast featuring practitioners and scholars at the intersection of governance, artificial intelligence, and local government technology. His current research explores how agentic AI tools can enhance community engagement and government performance, and how cities can use hyper-local environmental data to improve public health outcomes through the Community Data Health Initiative.
He is the author or co-author of numerous influential books, including Growing Fairly: How to Build Opportunity and Equity in Workforce Development, Collaborative Cities: Mapping Solutions to Wicked Problems, A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance, and The Responsive City: Engaging Communities Through Data-Smart Governance. A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, he writes regularly for Governing and Government Technology magazines.
As a speaker, Stephen Goldsmith brings unmatched credibility to conversations on smart cities, AI in government, and public-sector transformation — grounded in his rare trifecta of front-line executive experience, federal advisory roles, and cutting-edge academic research. Senior audiences — from city leaders and public administrators to corporate executives navigating civic partnerships — gain a clear-eyed, evidence-based framework for using data, technology, and cross-sector collaboration to drive real-world impact. His talks cut through the hype around AI and smart cities, offering the operational depth that only a former mayor, deputy mayor, and Harvard professor can deliver.
Stephen Goldsmith Speaking Videos
Stephen Goldsmith - A New City O/S
Stephen Goldsmith - The Power of Civic Data
Stephen Goldsmith Keynote Topics
As agentic AI moves from experimentation to deployment, city governments face urgent choices about how — and how well — to adopt it. Drawing on his research at Harvard's Bloomberg Center for Cities, Goldsmith explores how municipal leaders can use AI to enhance community engagement, improve service delivery, and increase operational efficiency, while managing the governance, equity, and privacy challenges these tools inevitably raise.
Cities generate more data than ever, yet most of it goes unused. In this keynote, Goldsmith presents a practical framework for turning civic data into actionable policy — covering data governance principles, cross-agency integration, community input, and the accountability structures that make data-driven government trustworthy and effective. Grounded in real case studies from major U.S. cities, this talk equips leaders to turn information into impact.
Competition and collaboration between the public and private sectors have never been more consequential — or more complex. Goldsmith draws on his record as Mayor of Indianapolis, where he pioneered competitive contracting and privatization at scale, to offer a contemporary roadmap for structuring partnerships that deliver better outcomes for citizens, reduce costs, and build lasting institutional capacity.
Technology-driven urban reform can widen inequality as easily as it can reduce it. Goldsmith challenges leaders to design innovation strategies that actively expand opportunity — drawing from his work on workforce development, the Community Data Health Initiative, and decades of front-line experience governing diverse, complex cities. This session is essential for executives and administrators who want innovation that is both effective and just.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Stephen Goldsmith
Why Stephen Goldsmith?
Booking Stephen Goldsmith as a keynote speaker means bringing one of the most credentialed voices in urban policy and public-sector innovation to your event. His perspective is uniquely triangulated: two terms as Mayor of Indianapolis, service as Deputy Mayor of New York City, and decades of research and teaching at Harvard Kennedy School. Where most speakers offer theory or practitioner experience, Goldsmith offers both — and at the highest level. He speaks to what AI, data, and technology actually do inside government, not just what they promise to do. For events focused on smart cities, digital transformation, public-sector leadership, or civic innovation, he is one of the most authoritative choices available. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check his availability.
What is Data-Smart City Solutions?
Data-Smart City Solutions is a research and knowledge-sharing initiative that Goldsmith founded at Harvard Kennedy School in 2012, now housed within the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. It highlights how local governments use emerging technologies — including big data analytics, AI, and digital civic tools — to improve public services and reshape the relationship between citizens and government. The initiative also includes the Data-Smart City Pod, a podcast featuring urban practitioners and scholars, and the Project on Municipal Innovation, which convenes senior leaders from major U.S. cities.
What was Stephen Goldsmith's tenure as Mayor of Indianapolis known for?
Goldsmith served as Mayor of Indianapolis from 1992 to 2000 and became nationally recognized for pioneering public-private competition and privatization in city government. He introduced competitive contracting across dozens of municipal services — from pothole repair to wastewater management — generating significant cost savings while maintaining service quality. His approach became a national model and was widely studied by researchers, other mayors, and federal policymakers.
What topics does big data speaker Stephen Goldsmith cover?
Goldsmith speaks on smart cities and urban technology, AI in government, big data governance, public-private partnerships, civic innovation, workforce development, and urban equity. His talks are especially well-suited for audiences in the public sector, civic technology, urban planning, and corporate affairs. To explore how his expertise fits your event, reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau for a tailored proposal.
How to book Stephen Goldsmith as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Stephen Goldsmith as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Stephen Goldsmith's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Stephen Goldsmith or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Stephen Goldsmith speaking fee?
Stephen Goldsmith speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Stephen Goldsmith to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Stephen Goldsmith.
How can I contact Stephen Goldsmith?
We only work with Stephen Goldsmith on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Stephen Goldsmith and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Stephen Goldsmith speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Stephen Goldsmith for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Stephen Goldsmith for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Stephen Goldsmith is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Stephen Goldsmith for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
