Chattanooga has always been a city of builders. From the construction of bridges and railroads to advancements in logistics and fiber optics, the city has consistently leveraged tools that facilitate enhanced productivity, accelerated progress, and expanded reach. Artificial intelligence represents a natural progression in this lineage. And here in Chattanooga, we’re putting it to work in ways that make sense for our community.
A study by economists Scott Abrahams and Frank Levy suggests that midsize cities like ours—places with solid infrastructure, relatively affordable cost-of-living, and resilient industries—are uniquely equipped to thrive in the era of AI.
It’s not because we have the flashiest tech scene. It’s because we have proven our capacity for effective execution.
Over the past decade, Chattanooga has meticulously laid the groundwork for innovation, marked by the establishment of gig-speed internet citywide, the deployment of America’s first commercial quantum network, and the cultivation of a growing network of entrepreneurs who see this city as a place where new ideas can grow roots. Now, we’re pairing that infrastructure with practical AI applications that improve daily life.
Across various city departments, we are piloting AI initiatives that are grounded in practicality and demonstrably beneficial. We are employing chatbot technology to streamline resident interactions with municipal services, facilitating ease of navigation for permits, information retrieval, and support access. To further enhance productivity and decision-making, we have also begun deploying Google’s Gemini to equip city employees with advanced AI capabilities. In tandem with these efforts, we are using Gemini-based AI to make it possible for everyday language to be used to ask questions and get answers about our City Codes and Ordinances. This new capability will simplify and speed access to this important information, first for City employees and ultimately for citizens, visitors, and businesses. We are nearing the stage where our permitting team will be able to use this new capability in their everyday work. Once we’re comfortable with the reliability and consistency of the answers produced by this AI-enabled tool, we’ll begin the process of making it available to citizens and businesses.
We’re also investing in AI where it can have a tangible impact on the way people move through the city. Chattanooga is expanding a smart traffic management system across 120 intersections—one of the largest lidar-enabled traffic projects in the country. This technology uses sensors and edge-based AI to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. And it does it all while protecting privacy and keeping data secure. It’s a forward-looking transportation solution designed with the real needs of our residents in mind.
But even the most advanced tools are only as effective as the people who use them. That’s why we’re investing in workforce training and education, with the goal of equipping students and workers with the skills to thrive in evolving industries. While coding and computer science are not universally applicable, ensuring that individuals possess the confidence and competence to utilize the tools of today’s economy is essential.
I’m also committed to collaboration. This is a moment where cities can—and should—lead, but we’ll go further together. I’m excited to work with mayors across the country to share what we’re learning, learn from their successes, and build a nationwide playbook for responsible AI deployment. Whether it’s improving city services, supporting small businesses, or growing a resilient workforce, we’re all confronting the same questions—and we have a lot to gain by answering them together.
Chattanooga may not look like the traditional tech capital. But we’ve got what it takes: smart people, good infrastructure, and a community spirit that’s always embraced change. AI is coming to every city. We’re choosing to meet it head-on—with purpose, with partnership, and with people at the center. Let’s make sure the next chapter of innovation includes us all.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly
* * *
Dear Mayor Kelly,
It's great that you are embracing AI and want to see it be a big part of Chattanooga's future. I hope you are right.
In the meantime, could you please fix the streets? I seem to recall that being a big feature of your campaign ads when you ran for office the first time, but I still see potholes all over town. The only reasonably smooth pavement seems to be in the largely unused bike lanes.
Sometimes the low-tech stuff is just as important as the high-tech stuff.
Joe Dumas
* * *
The opinion letter signed by Tim Kelly bears many of the hallmarks of having been generated artificially by an LLM computer program. I don't delude myself into believing that every op-ed "written" by a politician hasn't been touched by many of his or her hired press hands, so if this letter was in whole or in part generated by a computer program, I suppose that little new ground was broken on the grey edges of intellectual honesty.
Nonetheless, I prefer the higher signal to noise ratio of the crisp response written by Joe Dumas. I will add to Mr. Dumas's list: before the city gets too far down the road of leading in "AI," maybe Chattanooga can follow the well-trodden path of other cities in Tennessee that contribute more money to the school systems of their host counties. Do that, and our home-grown children will be better equipped to lead us into the future.
David Sean Kelman
* * *
First, the legal responsibility to fund Hamilton County Schools lies squarely with our county government. They have the power — and the duty — to ensure adequate funding. That responsibility was clearly enshrined, when the city of Chattanooga exited the school business around 25 years ago.
Second, Chattanooga residents are also Hamilton County residents. They pay the same county taxes as those in East Ridge, Red Bank, and the unincorporated areas of the county. So calls for Chattanooga taxpayers to "do more" seem to imply double taxation — asking city residents to pay twice for the same service.
Third, and lastly, the simple fiscal reality is this: Chattanooga residents, businesses, and visitors generate revenues for education at levels that exceed the entire Hamilton County Schools operations budget. You read that right. The city of Chattanooga sent monies to the county and the state totaling more than $545 million to fund education in fiscal year 2024 alone, a year in which the local school operations budget was $529.5 million.
And if that were not enough, while Chattanooga's investment is growing, Hamilton County's share is unfortunately shrinking. Over the past decade, the county has reduced the percentage of its property tax revenues allocated to schools from 54% to 43% — directing funds to one-time capital projects rather than the school board's operating budget. Imagine the possibilities if Hamilton County restored its education allocation to 54% of property tax revenue. We'd be discussing teacher raises and new programs, not scrambling to fund essentials like transportation and health care.
As it pertains to fixing our city streets, the Department of Public Works has paved more than 60 lane miles so far this year, which adds to the hundreds of miles paved since Mayor Tim Kelly took office.
Stephanie Cepak, Spokesperson, City of Chattanooga