The world is firmly entrenched in the Information Age. Technology continues to reshape economies and societies amidst the fourth industrial revolution, and cities are rapidly deploying technology to address a wide range of urban challenges. The interplay of technology and innovation has already influenced urbanization patterns and is poised to further shape the future of cities. In this context, Covid-19 has taught us that we must increase the human experience when we talk about the cities of the future. Through this interview with Julia Glidden, CVP of Worldwide Public Sector at Microsoft, we will explore the human aspect of what it might mean to live in a connected, intelligent urban environment. Now, rather than as a vision of the future, we will talk about it as a necessity of the present.