154. Jonathan Reichental. On Cities and Governments Using Technology To Serve People Better.

Today’s episode is a special one. It’s not often that you get to sit down with someone who has operated at the highest levels of public-sector technology, advised global organizations on the future of innovation, and brought that experience into the classroom and onto the page as a professor and author. That’s why it’s truly an honor to welcome Jonathan Reichental to the show. Jonathan served as CIO for the City of Palo Alto, right in the heart of Silicon Valley, where he helped transform how a city can use technology to better serve its residents, from open data initiatives to digital services that made government more accessible, transparent, and responsive. Since then, through his advisory work and founding Human Future, he’s continued to help cities, governments, and organizations think more boldly, and more practically, about how emerging technologies can improve real lives. What makes Jonathan’s perspective so powerful is the unique combination he brings: hands-on experience inside government, deep roots in the tech industry, and the reflective lens of a professor and author who studies leadership, innovation, and the future of cities. He doesn’t just talk about what’s possible, he understands what’s workable. In this conversation, we’re exploring a critical question: How can cities and governments actually use technology to serve people better? Enjoy!