Suma Nallapati Named Chief AI and Information Officer
Mayor Johnston appoints Nallapati to lead citywide ethical artificial intelligence integration.
On Sept. 29, Mayor Mike Johnston announced that Suma Nallapati’s role was been expanded from Chief Information Officer (CIO) to Chief AI and Information Officer (CAIO) for the City and County of Denver, a move he said “reflects the city’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) as a responsible, resident-centered tool to improve public services and ensure technology serves all communities equitably and ethically.”
“Denver is positioning itself as the nation’s most forward-thinking AI city,” Johnston said. “Suma has been a visionary leader in technology, and with this expanded role, she will ensure that AI is not only effective but also ethical, inclusive and deeply human-centered. This is about more than just implementing technology; it’s about building public trust, closing opportunity gaps and ensuring every Denverite has a voice in the future we’re building.”
A Vision for Responsible AI
As CAIO, Nallapati will be charged with shaping the city’s artificial intelligence strategy. Her responsibilities include “developing and implementing Denver’s AI strategy, including standards for governance and equity” as well as “coordinating AI projects and tools across all city departments and agencies.”
The role also calls for “expanding Denver’s AI ecosystem through partnerships with vendors and universities” and “integrating AI into core city services like permitting, emergency dispatch, public safety, and customer service.”
Johnston said that Denver’s approach will center on public confidence and fairness, saying “This is about more than just implementing technology; it’s about building public trust.”
Nallapati echoed that focus. “AI is no longer just a tool – it’s a core capability for a more responsive, resilient and resident-focused government,” she said. “I am honored to lead this next chapter as we responsibly scale AI to improve lives, close equity gaps and deliver smarter public services for every Denverite.”
The city also pledged to “champion transparency and public trust by publishing dashboards and engaging with communities on the ethical use of AI.”
Transforming Denver’s Services
Nallapati’s promotion follows a string of AI projects already in motion during her tenure as CIO. These include “Sunny, a multilingual AI chatbot that assists thousands of residents via denvergov.org, text, and WhatsApp” and a “Tech Support Bot, an internal AI chatbot that has streamlined IT operations and improved efficiency.”
The city has also introduced “Microsoft Copilot Chat, a secure AI tool that helps city employees with their daily tasks,” as well as an “AI RFP, seeking innovative AI vendors to transform city operations and improve the resident experience.”
Denver also hosted “the inaugural DenAI Summit, the nation’s first city-led AI conference, which established Denver as a hub for civic AI innovation.”
Johnston said these efforts show that “Suma has been a visionary leader in technology,” and that her work has helped lay the groundwork for AI to “not only [be] effective but also ethical, inclusive, and deeply human-centered.”
An Experienced Leader
Nallapati brings over 20 years of executive leadership in technology and public-private partnerships.
Before joining the City and County of Denver, she served as Chief Digital Officer at Dish Network and as Secretary of Technology and CIO for the State of Colorado.
With her new role, the mayor said, Denver is doubling down on its place in the national conversation.
“Denver is positioning itself as the nation’s most forward-thinking AI city,” Johnston said, adding that Nallapati’s expanded portfolio is meant to ensure AI works “to improve public services and ensure technology serves all communities equitably and ethically.”
