What if technology could help spot a water leak before it becomes a major break or identify illegal dumping before residents have to report it?
Those are just some of the ways Atlanta is already putting artificial intelligence to work.
This week, the City brought together leaders from technology, business, higher education and the creative industries for Avant South 2026, held October 12–13 at Georgia Tech.
With the theme AI in Action, the annual conference focused on moving beyond the possibilities of artificial intelligence to explore how it is being used today to solve problems, strengthen businesses and prepare the workforce for the future.
From Big Ideas to Everyday Solutions
Across Atlanta, City departments are already using AI to improve services and address challenges residents face every day.
- Preventing water leaks: The Department of Watershed Management uses AI-supported technology to identify potential leaks and infrastructure problems. One effort identified 61 leaks, helping conserve hundreds of millions of gallons of water.
- Tackling illegal dumping: The Department of Public Works has equipped seven solid-waste vehicles with AI-enabled cameras to identify litter and illegal dumping, helping crews target cleanup efforts.
- Improving streets and sidewalks: The Atlanta Department of Transportation uses AI and LiDAR technology to assess roads, sidewalks, curb ramps and street signs to help plan improvements.
- Making City services easier: ATL311 uses an AI-powered chatbot to answer common questions around the clock, helping residents find information without waiting for a live agent.
A Conversation About Atlanta’s Future
On Tuesday, Mayor Andre Dickens joined Atlanta music producer Dallas Austin for a fireside chat moderated by Donnie Beamer. Their conversation, The City We’re Building, explored the intersection of technology, creativity and Atlanta’s future.
Mayor Dickens pointed to the City’s growing use of AI, emphasizing that technology should help government work smarter while keeping residents at the center of its decisions.
“The goal for us as government is not just efficiency for efficiency’s sake. It’s to serve people better and to serve people equitably,” Mayor Dickens said.
The discussion also touched on Atlanta’s creative economy and the importance of ensuring new opportunities reach every neighborhood. Mayor Dickens highlighted the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative and the City’s focus on directing resources to communities that have experienced decades of underinvestment.
For Atlanta, the goal is not simply to adopt new technology. It’s to use it responsibly, solve real problems and make sure innovation creates opportunities for all Atlantans.
Avant South brought those conversations together, connecting the people, ideas and partnerships helping build Atlanta’s future.
