Northeastern University will host a free online webinar on Nov. 16, 2026, focused on how artificial intelligence is changing city infrastructure and urban life — and on who benefits, who is watched, and who can be harmed in the process. The event will run online from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET.
Key facts
- The webinar is titled “Urban AI and the Politics of Intelligent Infrastructure.”
- It is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET.
- The event will be held online and admission is free.
- Speakers include external guest Anthony Townsend and internal guests Chris Le Dantec and Dan O’Brien.
What this means for students and researchers
The webinar is aimed at people interested in how AI affects cities in practical and political ways. For students, applicants and researchers in urban technology, data science, digital civics and related fields, it offers a chance to hear how specialists frame issues such as predictive policing, algorithmic zoning, smart transit systems and AI-driven climate adaptation.
The event also points to a broader shift in how urban AI is being discussed: not simply as a technical upgrade, but as something that can reshape access, belonging and power. That makes the conversation relevant for university audiences working on design, policy and community-centered technology, especially those interested in how residents can participate in shaping the systems that affect them.
- When: Nov. 16, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Online
- Cost: Free
- Focus: AI, cities, equity, infrastructure and community participation
Why is Northeastern holding this webinar?
Northeastern is framing the event as a conversation about the political and social effects of urban AI, not just its technical capabilities. The webinar description says the discussion will move beyond the optimism of the “smart cities” era and look at the gap between efficiency-driven urban tech and the needs of the communities it is meant to serve.
That focus suggests the event is meant to surface questions about governance, surveillance and inclusion as cities adopt more AI-based tools. The listed panelists — urban technologists, digital civics researchers and data scientists — indicate a multidisciplinary discussion rather than a narrow product or policy presentation.
Who is speaking?
The event lists Anthony Townsend as an external guest. Internal guests are Chris Le Dantec and Dan O’Brien.
Together, the lineup signals an emphasis on urban technology, civic systems and data-driven city planning. The webinar description does not identify individual talk topics, but it does make clear that the panel will examine how AI can alter urban life in material ways.
Frequently asked questions
When is the webinar?
The webinar is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET.
How much does it cost to attend?
Admission is free.
