For Mayor of Toronto · 2026Public services
Better permit tracking, customer-service routing, translation, maintenance planning and response-time analysis.
Home / Priorities / Human-Centred Intelligent City
Technology with people in chargePreparing Toronto for the AI era.
Artificial intelligence, advanced computing and digital infrastructure will affect public services, transportation, energy, emergency management, jobs and economic growth. Toronto should govern that change for public benefit—not chase technology for its own sake.
The leadership principle
Begin with the human problem.
The strongest technology strategy is a better-results strategy.
Residents experience technology through practical outcomes: shorter waits, easier permits, safer communities, more reliable transportation, stronger infrastructure and better access to opportunity.
Jamie Atkinson brings a lifelong hands-on technology background and a practical understanding of AI, compute, infrastructure and public systems. That experience should be used to ask better questions, identify risks and make City Hall more capable—while accountable people retain authority.
Why this turns Megacity into Gigacity: Toronto gains leadership prepared to direct technological change toward everyday public value.
Why digital infrastructure matters
Modern cities increasingly depend on reliable computing and communications.
Data centres, cloud services, communications networks, cybersecurity and high-performance computing support transit, emergency response, utilities, businesses and public administration.
Transportation
Traffic-signal coordination, transit reliability, construction planning, accessibility analysis and clearer information during disruption.
Infrastructure and resilience
Energy management, water monitoring, flood forecasting, asset maintenance, emergency planning and faster recovery.
Economic opportunity
Research partnerships, startup formation, advanced manufacturing, creative work, skills development and practical tools for small businesses.
Why this turns Megacity into Gigacity: Toronto plans the digital foundations of modern life instead of allowing critical systems to grow without coordination.
Important considerations
Capability requires safeguards.
Technology alone does not solve urban problems. Poorly governed technology can increase cost, exclusion and distrust.
Public accountability
Residents should know when high-impact systems are used, who is responsible and how results are reviewed.
Privacy protection
Collect only what is necessary, protect sensitive information and prevent unrelated secondary use.
Cybersecurity
Design for security, continuity, recovery and responsible vendor management from the beginning.
Transparent governance
Publish clear purposes, safeguards, performance measures and stop conditions for high-impact initiatives.
Equitable access
Maintain human, phone and in-person channels and ensure accessibility, language support and affordable public access.
Human review
Consequential decisions remain with accountable people, with explanations, appeal routes and professional judgment.
Why this turns Megacity into Gigacity: Toronto expands capability without surrendering rights, access or democratic control.
Students for the next 50 years
Increase student support and expand optional AI enablement.
Toronto will work with Ontario and Canada on increased student funding and support for learners who voluntarily add responsible AI, data, robotics or field-specific digital capability to their education pathway.
Support should strengthen nursing, skilled trades, arts, architecture, business, public service, research and other fields—not narrow education to the technology sector.
Why this turns Megacity into Gigacity: Toronto grows human capability across the whole economy while protecting choice and fairness.
Housing remains first
Use advanced tools to strengthen the basics.
AI and robotics should help identify housing bottlenecks, coordinate infrastructure, track permits, improve inspections and publish results. They should not become a substitute for land, financing, skilled workers, utilities, professional judgment or accountability.
Why this turns Megacity into Gigacity: advanced capability is directed toward the problems residents already feel.
Build the campaign
Help Toronto prepare for the AI era with people firmly in charge.
A serious citywide campaign needs people, resources and neighbourhood support to reach voters across Toronto.
Show support where you live and help build visible momentum.
Order a sign →Residents, community leaders, artists and organizations can add their support.
Submit an endorsement →Bring neighbours together and help the campaign listen across Toronto.
See events →Receive announcements, policy releases and ways to take action.
Join the list →