2024 Cities Emerging Technologies Index: Ranking US Cities on Tech Readiness and Innovation

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of the metaverse are revolutionizing sectors across the globe, creating profound implications for cities, businesses, and society. The 2024 Cities Emerging Technologies Index (CETI), sponsored by NYU SPS Dean Angie Kamath and the Emerging Technologies Collaborative at NYU SPS, benchmarks the 55 most populated US metropolitan areas (MSAs) based on their capacity to embrace and innovate with emerging technologies.

By analyzing policies, infrastructure, social dynamics, and economic conditions, the CETI provides vital insights into which cities are leading the way in technology adoption, making it a valuable tool for city planners, businesses, policymakers, and researchers.

• Entertainment as a Catalyst for Innovation
  Cities that offer diverse entertainment and quality-of-life options are more successful in attracting young, tech-savvy talent. These cities benefit from a skilled and creative workforce that drives innovation and development.
  
  
• Economic and Policy Factors Drive Tech Growth
  Robust economic policies, including education, taxation, patents, and immigration, are critical to fostering a thriving tech ecosystem. Cities with clear and supportive frameworks see greater stability and growth in their tech sectors.
  
  
• AI and the Metaverse Transforming Urban Landscapes
  AI and the metaverse are reshaping cities. Urban areas that lead in these technologies, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and New York, are well-positioned for continued growth and innovation.
  
  
• Infrastructure is Key to Tech Ecosystems
  Both physical and digital infrastructure are crucial for attracting and sustaining technology-driven ecosystems. Cities with well-developed infrastructure are more likely to attract investment, talent, and startups, fueling a cycle of continuous innovation.
  
  
• Top 5 Ranked Cities in 2024
  • San Jose, CA – The leader in tech readiness and innovation, with a top score of 66.5.
  • San Francisco, CA – A tech powerhouse with a score of 46.4, though facing lower resident satisfaction.
  • New York, NY – Excelling in entertainment and talent attraction, New York ranks third overall with a score of 44.0.
  • Washington, DC – Known for its policy strength, Washington scores 39.0.
  • Seattle, WA – A tech-savvy city with strong AI engagement, Seattle scores 37.3.
     

Dive deeper into the 2024 CETI with interactive infographics that highlight key metrics for the top-ranked cities, their strengths, and the factors driving technological innovation.

The 2024 CETI aims to:

• Identify factors that assess the level of adoption and creation of emerging technologies in metropolitan areas using both objective data and residents’ perspectives.
• Recognize the social, economic, and political factors that influence innovation within cities, driving positive social outcomes and benefits for residents.
• Provide guidelines for cities to focus on key emerging technologies that enhance resident satisfaction and fuel innovation.
• Inform city governance, influencing policy decisions and investment in infrastructure to promote tech ecosystems.
• Advocate for the democratization of innovation diffusion and technology-building capacities within communities and businesses.
   

The 2024 CETI was constructed using a mixed-method approach that combines:

• Secondary datasets: Demographic characteristics, number of tech companies, research spending, patents, and more.
• Primary data: Survey responses from 25,300 US residents representing all 55 MSAs.

The CETI evaluates cities across two main dimensions:

1. City Entertainment & Habitability Index: Measures a city’s ability to attract talent through entertainment and quality of life.
2. Tech Economy Index: Assesses a city’s development in economic and technological capacity, using factors like education, patents, taxation, and immigration policies.

The final CETI Total score is calculated as a weighted average of these two dimensions, predicting both a city’s current technological landscape and its capacity to improve technologically over the next six years.
 

For the complete analysis of city rankings in emerging technologies and to uncover city-specific insights, download the full report. If you represent a city or metropolitan area and wish to schedule a discussion or presentation regarding the findings related to your area, please email us at NYUSPSCommunications@nyu.edu.

About the NYU SPS Emerging Technologies Collaborative
The Emerging Technologies Collaborative at NYU SPS is a cross-industry initiative designed to prepare our students and industry partners to succeed with emerging technologies. We provide experiences and opportunities to explore, experiment, and lead in the convergence of the physical, digital, and virtual worlds impacting today’s global industries, professions, communities, and life as we know it.

About the NYU School of Professional Studies
Established in 1934, NYU SPS is an internationally recognized university that offers diverse students access and opportunity to practical, real-world preparation to thrive in their careers while building the next generation of industry leaders ready to embrace tomorrow’s innovations and challenges and lead change in global workplaces.