From the Worst Connected to the Most Connected Smart City: A Conversation with CIO of the City of Brownsville, Jorge Cardenas

Imagine an infrastructure and digital transformation, not just for a company but for an entire city!

I sat down with Jorge Cardenas, CIO of the City of Brownsville, Texas, to talk about what it takes to transform a city. Not in theory. In practice. With a small team, a tight budget, and a community counting on you. Link to episode here.

Jorge arrived in Brownsville in 2022. At the time, the city was one of the least connected in the country. Today, it has become an AI-ready Smart City. What happened in between is a story about vision, relationships, and what’s possible when you refuse to accept the status quo.

Here are a few moments from our conversation that stayed with me:

Connectivity is the foundation for everything

Before Brownsville could become a smart city, it had to become a connected one. Jorge, his team and partners built 100+ miles of fiber optic infrastructure across the city, and the ripple effects touched everything from internet prices to economic development to public safety.

"In order for a city to be smart, it needs to be connected."

Giving families access changes generations

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation had nothing to do with infrastructure specs. Jorge talked about Brownsville giving out 320 computers to families who couldn't afford them and saw the potential grow in their eyes.

"The internet opens doors and creates opportunities for everybody, especially those kids."

AI is real. But so is the responsibility to prepare people

Jorge isn't caught up in the hype. He is focused on making sure his team is ready for what is coming, and that means starting the conversation early.

"Two years ago I would tell them: AI is coming. Get ready, start learning, start doing."

The future belongs to those who adapt

He is not worried about AI replacing people. He is focused on making sure people evolve alongside it.

"A lot of the things done on a computer will be automated, but there also needs to be somebody on the back to automate those things."

Cities that don't modernize will be left behind

Jorge has seen it firsthand… legacy systems that are decades old holding entire communities back. His message to other city leaders is direct.

"Now is the time to modernize. Now is the time to get on the roll with what is happening in the world."

This conversation reminded me that technology leadership is not always about the next big platform or the flashiest tool. Sometimes it is about laying the right foundation so that an entire community can move forward.

Watch the full episode here.

Or… listen on your favorite podcast platform:

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​Apple Podcasts​

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Thank you to our Tech Legacies sponsor, CG Infinity!

Huge thank you to ​CG Infinity​ for sponsoring our podcast so we are able to feature these tech leaders with their perspectives and insights. Follow their company page to learn about their tech consulting services and #peoplefirst culture.

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Now I want to hear from you, Reader

Where have you seen great examples of a Smart City?