This week brought exciting AI advances for city planning alongside infrastructure challenges. Notre Dame researchers launched EcoSphere, an AI tool that helps cities reduce carbon emissions building-by-building using machine learning and satellite data. Meanwhile, governments face integration challenges when connecting new AI tools with old systems, slowing down smart city projects.

Big tech investments are changing city infrastructure. Google announced a $25 billion investment in data centers and AI infrastructure over two years, while CoreWeave's new Texas data center will double a city's power needs. Google also committed $7 billion more for Iowa cloud/AI facilities.

New laws are affecting city funding. The One Big Beautiful Bill became law, keeping tax-free city bonds but cutting clean energy grants and tax credits. This may force cities to find new money for green projects.