Episode
This City Had the Worst Internet in America…Then Fiber, 5G & AI Changed Everything
- Podcast
- Tech Legacies
- Published
- Mar 31, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4368
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://tech-legacies.captivate.fm
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Summary
What does it take to transform a city from one of the least connected in the nation into an AI-ready smart city? In this episode of Tech Legacies Podcast, host Fanny Dunagan sits down with Jorge Cardenas, CIO of the City of Brownsville, Texas, to explore how connectivity, AI infrastructure, and visionary leadership are reshaping the future of cities. When Jorge arrived in 2022, Brownsville faced aging technology, limited connectivity, and barriers to growth. Today, the city is building a digital foundation designed to power economic development, public safety, education access, and smarter government services. This conversation goes beyond technology. It’s about opportunity, leadership, and how modern infrastructure can transform lives. In this episode, you’ll learn: How fiber connectivity became the foundation for a smart city Why private 5G is changing public safety and city operations How AI-powered cameras and analytics are improving safety and services The real ROI of investing in digital infrastructure Why connectivity creates opportunity for families, students, and businesses Leadership lessons from the U.S. Marine Corps to city government How cities can modernize even with limited budgets What smart cities may look like by 2030 and beyond Jorge also shares his personal journey from immigrating to the United States and overcoming language barriers to serving in the Marine Corps and leading one of the most ambitious municipal connectivity transformations in the country. If you care about the future of cities, technology leadership, AI infrastructure, or building opportunity through connectivity, this episode is for you. ------------------------------ Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-cardenas-it-cio-ceo/ Want to build your author…