Mayor Johnston Names Suma Nallapati as Chief AI & Information Officer

Mayor Johnston Names Suma Nallapati as Chief AI & Information Officer

Published on September 29, 2025

Today, Mayor Mike Johnston announced that Suma Nallapati's role has been expanded from Chief Information Officer (CIO) to Chief AI and Information Officer (CAIO) for the City and County of Denver. This new title reflects the city's commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence as a responsible, resident-centered tool to improve public services and ensure technology serves all communities equitably and ethically.

In her new role, Nallapati will oversee the city's strategy for thoughtfully scaling AI across various government functions. This includes everything from resident engagement tools like Sunny to internal service automation, permit reviews, emergency response, and sustainable infrastructure.

"Denver is positioning itself as the nation's most forward-thinking AI city," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "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 focus on several key areas:

• Developing and implementing Denver's AI strategy, including standards for governance and equity.

• Coordinating AI projects and tools across all city departments and agencies.

• Expanding Denver's AI ecosystem through partnerships with vendors and universities.

• Integrating AI into core city services like permitting, emergency dispatch, public safety, and customer service.

• Championing transparency and public trust by publishing dashboards and engaging with communities on the ethical use of AI.

Transforming Denver's Services

Under Nallapati's leadership as CIO, the city has already launched several transformative AI initiatives:

• Sunny, a multilingual AI chatbot that assists thousands of residents via denvergov.org, text, and WhatsApp.

• Tech Support Bot, an internal AI chatbot that has streamlined IT operations and improved efficiency.

• Microsoft Copilot Chat, a secure AI tool that helps city employees with their daily tasks.

• AI RFP, seeking innovative AI vendors to transform city operations and improve the resident experience.

• The inaugural DenAI Summit, the nation's first city-led AI conference, which established Denver as a hub for civic AI innovation.

"AI is no longer just a tool-it's a core capability for a more responsive, resilient, and resident-focused government," said Suma Nallapati. "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."

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.

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