In this insightful episode, we unravel the intricate relationship between integrity and ethics, exploring how our understanding of right and wrong shapes our actions in personal and professional realms.

Check back for the full interview!

Trailer for Integrity: knowing right, acting right, holding accountable - Darren Murphy

In this engaging episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Brian Flanagan from Ingram Micro and Kelvin Lwin from Centific to explore the transformative role of AI in smart cities.  

Brian, a retired U.S. Air Force senior non-commissioned officer and business development executive, drives smart cities, ed tech, and public safety initiatives at Ingram Micro, one of the world’s largest IT distributors.

Kelvin, a computer science and AI expert with 20 years of meditation practice, leads Centific’s efforts in building ethical, empathetic AI, including the Assistive Learning Intelligence Navigator.

Together, they discuss what makes a city smart, the necessity of technology, and AI’s evolution from intelligent assistance to ambient intelligence. From real-world wins like AI-powered police reports to the ethical challenges of data and centralization, this conversation offers a balanced look at AI’s promise and pitfalls.  

Tune in for insights on building smarter, more human-centered cities! 

Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: AI as Ambient Intelligence
1:20 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
1:40 - Introducing Brian Flanagan and Kelvin Lwin
3:20 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Brian and Kelvin?
4:40 - Can a City Be Smart Without Technology?
7:10 - The Genie’s Out of the Bottle: Technology’s Inevitability
8:40 - AI’s Impact on Work-Life Balance and Fragility
10:20 - What Does AI Mean to Brian and Kelvin?
12:30 - AI’s Energy, Water, and Food Challenges
14:10 - The Cost of AI Pleasantries and Misaligned Incentives
15:20 - Open Source AI: Transparency vs. Guardrails
18:30 - AI as a Centralizing Force and Human Problem
21:00 - The Need for Wisdom in AI Adoption
22:50 - Ethical Burdens on Technologists
24:20 - The Dangers of Information in AI Systems
26:30 - Positive AI Examples: Safe Cities and First Responders
30:20 - Centific’s Verity: Automating Police Reports
31:20 - Closing Thoughts: Lean In and Stay Literate

Learn more about Brian Flanagan and Ingram Micro:

 * ⁠Brian Flanagan⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-flanagan-546652217/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhatrfuHM$] on LinkedIn

 * ⁠⁠Ingram Micro⁠ [https://www.ingrammicro.com/]⁠ website

 * ⁠⁠Ingram Micro⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/company/ingram-micro/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhFH3ntWs$]⁠ on LinkedIn

 * ⁠@IngramMicroInc⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://x.com/IngramMicroInc__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhf9emh3A$] as ⁠Ingram Micro⁠ on X

 * Kelvin Lwin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvinlwin/] on LinkedIn

 * Centific [https://centific.com/] website

 * Centific [https://www.linkedin.com/company/centificglobal/] on LinkedIn

 * @CentificGlobal [https://x.com/centificglobal] as Centific on X

Connect with Us:

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 * ⁠SCC website⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.smartcitiescouncil.com/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhMrOfj38$]

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AI and Smart Cities: Balancing Innovation and Ethics with Brian Flanagan from Ingram Micro and Kelvin Lwin from Centific

In this engaging episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Brian Flanagan from Ingram Micro and Kelvin Lwin from Centific to explore the transformative role of AI in smart cities.

Tune in for the interview!

Trailer for AI and Smart Cities: Balancing Innovation and Ethics with Brian Flanagan from Ingram Micro and Kelvin Lwin from Centific

From real-world deployments like Wyndham City Council to the nuances of integrating physical access with digital infrastructure, Tim Orr, Gallagher Security, highlights how governance-first thinking enables cities to not only protect assets but build community confidence and operational resilience.

They also explore the deeper return on investment in smart security: cultural impact, staff morale, cost savings, and long-term adaptability.Plus, hear how partnerships with trusted integrators like Omega Networks and Gallagher’s closed channel model are redefining what it means to future-proof city systems.

 Key Takeaways:

·       Security as Foundation: Smart cities aren’t just aboutsensors and dashboards without strong access governance and trust, everything else is built on sand.

·       Wyndham City Case Study: A phased, strategic upgrade of an old system led to an 8-month streak of zero break-ins, reduced costs, and restored staff safety.

·       Access as Integration Driver: Properly implemented accesscontrol becomes a policy-driven engine for interoperability with lighting, HVAC, visitor management, and emergency response.

·       Governance-First Design: Building from real-worlddecision-making and departmental needs leads to more resilient, human-centered smart infrastructure.

·       Closed Channel Partnerships: Gallagher works only withcertified integrators like Omega Networks to ensure quality and accountability in complex government environments.

Guest Speaker:

Tim OrrSouth Island Sales Manager, Gallagher Security
Tim is a former weapons engineer and telco consultant, now leading smart, integrated access control solutions across major institutions in New Zealand and beyond.

More Than a Fence: Why Security is the Hidden Powerhouse of Smart Cities

In this visionary episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, recorded at the Smart Cities Summit North America in San Francisco, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Andrew Côté, founder of Hyperstition Incorporated, to explore the intersection of deep tech and smart cities.

Andrew, an engineering physicist with a diverse background in RF engineering, biotech, AI, and nuclear fusion, now leads Hyperstition to bring "science fiction as a future" through events, media, and Deep Tech Week—a global, decentralized conference showcasing frontier technologies like silicon photonics, supersonic jets, and space-based imaging. From redefining technology as any human-designed system to advocating for problem-first urban solutions, Andrew shares insights on how smart cities can integrate emerging technologies while preserving humane, equitable living.

Tune in for a thought-provoking dive into self-governance, autonomous transportation, and the opportunities to shape a science fiction future for cities.

Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: Problem-First Thinking for Urban Solutions
1:20 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
1:40 - Introducing Andrew Côté and Hyperstition Incorporated
2:30 - Andrew’s Journey: From Physics to Deep Tech
4:10 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Andrew?
5:30 - The Thermodynamics of Cities and Economies of Scale
7:10 - Redefining Technology: From Democracy to Deep Tech
9:10 - Governance vs. Self-Governance in Smart Cities
11:00 - The Role of Government: Setting Rules, Not Solutions
14:30 - Problem vs. Outcome: Designing for Urban Needs
16:50 - Balancing Innovation with Cultural Inertia
18:00 - Biggest Opportunities: Autonomous Transport and Bureaucratic AI
20:30 - Solar, Batteries, and Resilient Grids
22:10 - Emerging Cities as Innovation Hubs
22:50 - Advice for Deep Tech Founders: Embrace the Struggle
25:30 - Advice for Consumers: Focus on Problems, Not Hype
27:00 - Closing Thoughts: A New Industrial Revolution Awaits
28:00 - Invitation to Deep Tech Week in San Francisco

Learn More About Andrew Côté, Hyperstition Incorporated and DeepTechWeek: 

 * Andrew Côté [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andercot/] on LinkedIn

 * @Andercot [https://x.com/Andercot] as Andrew Côté on X

 * Andrew Cote [https://andercot.substack.com/] on Substack

 * @hyperstition_x [https://x.com/hyperstition_x] as HyperStition Incorporated on X

 * Hyperstition Incorporated [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hyperstition-incorporated/] on LinkedIn

 * Deep Tech Week [https://www.deep-tech-week.com/] website

 Connect with Us:

FOLLOW US ON:

 * ⁠SCC website⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.smartcitiescouncil.com/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhMrOfj38$]

 * ⁠SCC⁠⁠⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-cities-council/**B__;4oGg!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhGG1eXRg$] on LinkedIn

 * ⁠⁠SCC⁠⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/smartcitiescouncil/**B__;4oGg!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhRoze_nw$] on Instagram

 * ⁠⁠SCC⁠⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://x.com/smartccouncil__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBh-vRoieY$] on X

 Give us a shout: Have questions or comments? Email us on our website ⁠

Deep Tech and Smart Cities: Science Fiction as a Service with Andrew Côté from Hyperstition Incorporated

In this visionary episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, recorded at the Smart Cities Summit North America in San Francisco, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Andrew Côté, founder of Hyperstition Incorporated, to explore the intersection of deep tech and smart cities.

Check back for the full interview!

Trailer for Deep Tech and Smart Cities: Science Fiction as a Service with Andrew Côté from Hyperstition Incorporated

What was the most important thing the participants experienced during the Smart Cities Summit North America?

Check out the first collation of their feedback and crucial learnings, from Mark Messow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/messow/], Nandkishore Kalambi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalambi/], James Ehrlich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesehrlich/], Jonathan Seefeldt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanseefeldt/], and David Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-johnson-3a51495/]!

More reflections and conversations are coming, so tune in for even more insights!

Thanks to Corey Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-gray-a3015094/], Junaid Islam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/junaidislam/], Robyn Francis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-francis-a27b1427/], Karen Norden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-norden-4077ab14/], Pat Edouard [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-edouard-a4398861/], Lauren Louie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmlouie/], Brad Seaman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-seaman-764115b/], Teresa Santillo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-santillo-27331956/], Khaled Daher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-daher-88312949/], Alexis Lebedew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-lebedew-3689bb71/] and many others for organising, participating and contributing to this magnificent event!

SCS2025 Takeaways with Mark Messow, Andy Kalambi, James Ehrlich, Jonathan Seefeldt, David Johnson

What was the most important thing the participants experienced during the Smart Cities Summit North America?

Check out the first collation of their feedback and crucial learnings, from Matthew Murray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-murray-004b80a/], Andrew Côté [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andercot/], Peter Van Deventer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-van-deventer-07ba6316/], Michael Lake [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-e-lake/], Radek Michalski, PhD [https://www.linkedin.com/in/radek-michalski-phd-1887146a/], and David Sprinzen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sprinzen-87578414/]!

More reflections and conversations are coming, so tune in for even more insights!

Thanks to Corey Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-gray-a3015094/], Junaid Islam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/junaidislam/], Robyn Francis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-francis-a27b1427/], Karen Norden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-norden-4077ab14/], Pat Edouard [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-edouard-a4398861/], Lauren Louie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmlouie/], Brad Seaman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-seaman-764115b/], Teresa Santillo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-santillo-27331956/], Khaled Daher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-daher-88312949/], Alexis Lebedew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-lebedew-3689bb71/] and many others for organising, participating and contributing to this magnificent event!

SCS2025 Takeaways by Matthew Murray, Andrew Côté, Peter Van Deventer, Mike Lake, Radosław Michalski, and David Sprinzen

In this engaging episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, hosts Brian Flanagan and Alli Pullin from Ingram Micro to explore the intersection of smart cities and sustainability.

Brian Flanagan, a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer with 20 years of leadership experience, drives Smart Cities, EdTech, and Justice & Public Safety initiatives at Ingram Micro, fostering innovation and strategic partnerships.

Alli Pullin, part of Global Alliances for AWS at Ingram Micro, is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance climate resiliency and sustainable operations, reducing carbon emissions and water consumption.

Together, they dive into what makes a city "smart," how sustainability and technology intertwine, and the challenges and opportunities in adopting innovative solutions. From AI-driven traffic management to ethical hardware disposal, this conversation highlights practical steps toward resilient, thriving communities. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on behavior change, proactive planning, and the role of collaboration in shaping sustainable urban futures.

 

Key Takeaways

0:00 - Introduction: Balancing Velocity and Sustainability

0:50 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!

1:20 - Introducing Brian Flanagan and Alli Pullin from Ingram Micro

2:50 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Brian and Alli?

4:40 - Sustainability: Technology’s Role in Reducing Emissions

5:10 - Alli on Sustainability: Resilience Beyond Status Quo

6:40 - Brian on Innovation: Breaking the Status Quo for Progress

9:10 - The Challenge of Behavior Change in Technology Adoption

10:10 - Regional Differences in Sustainability Practices

12:00 - Innovation Driven by Pain Points: Lessons from Disasters

14:20 - Ingram Micro’s Role in Smart Cities and Sustainability

16:10 - Alli on Ethical Asset Disposition for Environmental Impact

18:40 - Real-World Impact: Supporting DOD with Responsible IT Disposal

20:20 - The Future: AI, Data Analytics, and Sustainable Cities

23:40 - Tailoring Solutions to Unique City Needs

26:50 - Ingram Micro’s Proactive Approach to Partner Needs

28:40 - Upcoming Webinar: AI, Sustainability, and Smart Cities

29:00 - Closing Thoughts: Stay Engaged and Collaborative

Learn more about Brian Flanagan and Ingram Micro:

 * ⁠Brian Flanagan⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-flanagan-546652217/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhatrfuHM$] on LinkedIn

 * Alli Pullin [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/in/alli-pullin/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!Hj0hvSYwHpzsBrCWUMyeT1oPQobC3sqV1A7qYTItm1xcKXTX0qZB-NHHbh8DqQJ4ao0C8ggb283O7KZyxssDFFFpxtBkqqeQTkcdb5w$] on LinkedIn

 * ⁠⁠Ingram Micro⁠ [https://www.ingrammicro.com/]⁠ website

 * ⁠⁠Ingram Micro⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/company/ingram-micro/__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhFH3ntWs$]⁠ on LinkedIn

 * ⁠@IngramMicroInc⁠ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://x.com/IngramMicroInc__;!!KDf9ebxpXGLC!AVZR4JyNaMJ3R8TYDux6F_lARCtl6oEt6MdNCmZMugZzzK-JK_877kN-G0_qWaZwDdBRRLcdC-kgp8o7TE0vmflHjF6gNHBhf9emh3A$] as ⁠Ingram Micro⁠ on X

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Building Smarter, Sustainable Cities: Insights from Brian Flanagan and Alli Pullin at Ingram Micro

In this engaging episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, hosts Brian Flanagan and Alli Pullin from Ingram Micro to explore the intersection of smart cities and sustainability.

Trailer for Building Smarter, Sustainable Cities: Insights from Brian Flanagan and Alli Pullin at Ingram Micro

Welcome to The Smart Cities Chronicles - the premier podcast on smart cities action and investment. The Chronicles is hosted by the Smart Cities Council, the worlds largest network of smart cities companies, policy makers and practitioners. More information is available at www.smartcitieschronicles.com

Smart Cities Chronicles

Join us as the Smart Cities Council team and members from around the world talk to the people and places advancing the application of science, data, technology, and engineering to enable a safer, more activated, beautiful, and sustainable world now for the future, for everyone.

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