Miami mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez announced his plans to make Miami the marquee hub for cryptocurrency, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and next-generation technology industries as he approaches the home stretch in his run for mayor.
“Miami has long been the gateway to the Americas and a crossroads of international business. Our growth in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence shows that the next wave of innovation belongs here,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “My administration will nurture this ecosystem so that Miami becomes the global capital of financial and emerging technologies, creating jobs and opportunities for our residents.”
According to his campaign, Gonzalez's technology growth agenda encompasses four major priorities: ecosystem development, infrastructure readiness, regulatory advocacy, and political stability.
On ecosystem development, Gonzalez indicated supporting clusters of blockchain, crypto, and AI firms that are already embedded in Miami's economy, while pushing them forward for the city's future.
Secondly, his infrastructure readiness plan includes a priority on high-speed wireless and fiber connectivity for the city's innovation growth, as well as expanding local data center capabilities to meet the demands of AI and data-driven industries.
He also pledged to use AI to help improve the city's public services, including traffic management, as well as predictive analytics to help diminish waste and enhance city operations.
Gonzalez, who's competing against 12 other opponents in the Miami Mayoral race, has already issued a series of policy plans as he looks to take over for Mayor Francis Suarez. He has also been endorsed by some major officials in the race.
On infrastructure readiness, Gonzalez envisions having more federal regulatory certainty out of Washington, D.C, for Miami so "companies and investors know the rules of the road." He has also vowed to have better standards to position Miami as an attractive landing spot for U.S. and international partners working in fintech and artificial intelligence.
That outlook was also shared by the Florida Council of 100 earlier this week.
Tying his vision together, Gonzalez has pledged to hold City Hall accountable with a transparent administration to instill confidence in the business community to help grow Miami's innovation economy.
“No city is better positioned than Miami to capture the energy, capital, and talent driving financial and technological innovation," Gonzalez said. "By creating the right foundation and advocating for smart policies, we can ensure that Miami’s residents share in the benefits of this new economy.”
The Miami mayoral election is Nov. 4.
