Factors driving the 4th Industrial Revolution such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, and G5, combine with bigger ideas — not only to drive for efficiencies, improved and even new services, improving the economy, etc.; but to solve bigger, often global issues around pollution with green solutions, to address systemic social ills in society with greater access, better justice, leveled opportunities, etc. to make the smart city idea a fantastic time to dream and innovate — to change life and living in Wisconsin's cities. This site will keep all participants and lurkers informed. 2019 is the year to build a strong collaborative foundation between local government, academic research, private entrepreneurship, and non-profits.
This work is a blend of several endeavors. Firstly, this is fundamental research. I recall asking Alan Wiseman from the Physics Department at UWM about their research on gravitational waves. He told me it was fundamental research, and I still did not connect the dots. He then shared something precious and I gladly pass it along. He said: "My dad was a physicist as well, and someone once asked him what fundamental research was, and he explained it as follows: "You can study broken bones all you want, but you will never discover X-rays that way." I got it! We are dealing with new concepts, new ideas, new technologies. Fundamental research liberates us to be far more creative and be innovative than before.
Another key focus is to first understand. This will be a platform for local government to educate and inform the rest of us about their priorities, their constraints, concerns, dreams, legal and legislative contexts, etc. And as we understand, we can be effective to collaborate to address hurdles and challenges. How do we move the needle? Is there a clear vision, is there a legal and legislative context to support the vision? Is there a sustainable plan? Is the time right — is there the political will, understanding and support from stakeholders? These are some of the challenges to face. But, this is a country of dreams, and that powerful drive to achieve something exceptional can see us through to build and design tomorrow's reality.
From the academic side of the house, we are bringing together the collective mind at UWM with interdisciplinary teams to set forth a research agenda that will open up opportunities for research grants and internships for our students (e.g. the App Brewery or Nonprof IT). It will likely lead to new innovations at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center. We will also reach out to other universities.
From the private sector and non-profit side of the house, this is an exciting opportunity to network and to form partnerships with local government and research to shape innovation.
To bring together local governments, academic researchers, non-profits and private sector entrepreneurs to meet the technological and social opportunities of Smart Cities in Wisconsin to make us future ready.
Our mission is to identify and prioritize needs and opportunities to use the affordances our cities offer, including local talent and networks to address our particular challenges, build our dreams and lead with innovation to shape opportunities in diverse areas, such as medical care, transportation, energy, waste management, green solutions, automation, privacy, etc. — to enrich the experience for all who live or visit the cities of Wisconsin with better opportunities and access to all, improved educational opportunities, addressing costs, and improving the health of our people and the environment.
NOTE: This is a new initiative. As the team grows, the goals, the mission, etc. will adjust.