NAPA and Google Issue Report on AI’s Local Impact, Advised by Lexicon Partner Lisa Benjamin
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), in partnership with Google, has released Bringing AI to Main Street: Maximizing Artificial Intelligence’s Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a study that provides frameworks and tools to help local governments and business leaders prepare their communities for the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. Lisa Y. Benjamin, partner at Lexicon Strategies and a Fellow of the Academy, served on the Expert Advisory Group that advised the report.
Commissioned by Google, the study highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping not only global industries but also the economies of cities and towns across the United States. It shifts the AI conversation to Main Street—showing how municipalities can implement AI to enhance service delivery, bolster local businesses, and foster growth that is both equitable and inclusive. The report includes frameworks for AI readiness, support structures for adoption, a self-assessment checklist, and case studies from communities nationwide
Benjamin’s contributions helped connect the report’s findings to the real-world challenges and opportunities facing municipal leaders. Her career spans senior leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and business, including serving as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, where she managed $11 billion in city funds and oversaw public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and the world’s busiest airport. She also served as President and CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, one of the nation’s most impactful affiliates, and today advises clients at Lexicon Strategies on complex challenges at the intersection of policy, innovation, and community development..
The release of Bringing AI to Main Street comes at a critical time as Google continues to invest in understanding and supporting responsible AI adoption across sectors. By combining benchmarking, readiness strategies, and case studies from cities like Miami and Honolulu, the report offers practical guidance for how local governments can use AI to build stronger, more resilient communities. With input from experts like Lisa Benjamin, it provides municipal leaders with tools to ensure artificial intelligence drives innovation while addressing community needs.
Lexicon Strategies partner Lisa Benjamin