Some of the best and brightest minds from around the world are in Kansas City this week to come up with more ideas for KC's smart city initiative.

The city recently announced plans to become a "smart city," adding free Wi-Fi and interactive, informative kiosks along the streetcar corridor.

"What it will look like is a gigantic seven-foot tall iPhone that you as a consumer or citizen can walk up and just start pressing the buttons," said Bob Bennett, Kansas City's chief innovation officer.

While the kiosks and Wi-Fi should be in place in March, the goal of the conference is to come up with other innovative ideas.

Representatives from MIT and other smart cities from around the world are in KC to share their thoughts.

"In the end, it's about people and how do we empower these people to bring new solutions to the environment where they live," said Victor Larios, a professor at a university in Guadalajara, another smart city.

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Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.

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