Smart Cities

Powering Positive Change: Winning solutions from the 2023 tinyML Challenge Finale 
13 December 2023
In a dynamic convergence of minds at AI for Good, the 2023 tinyML Challenge Finale showed how collaborative innovation can produce concrete solutions to power-up positive change.
Inspired by nature: harnessing animal locomotion for robotic innovation and sustainable development
Xiaoran Tang3 October 2023
The interplay between bio-robotics and animal locomotion has opened doors to a plethora of innovations.
AI-Driven Solutions for Climate Disasters provided by Zindi and ITU at AI for Good
27 September 2023
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has partnered with Zindi to develop solutions to important global challenges through a series of data science competitions hosted by AI for Good.
A vision to build AI-powered Smart and Sustainable Cities: Are we there yet?
Ebtesam Almazrouei1 March 2023
As the promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) manifests, we are presented with new opportunities to shape tools and techniques that will help us address some of the major global challenges of our time and deliver solutions that translate into meaningful social and economic impact.
How AI-powered robots can change our lives for good
Irina Timoshenko7 February 2023
The integration of AI in robotics has the potential to create machine learning agents capable of interacting with the environment to complete a range of tasks, bringing humans and technology closer together.
Robotics and AI to predict and fight wildfires
27 January 2023
With global warming, wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense. Current risk management systems are insufficiently equipped to cope with the increasing number of fires.
AI in action: Protecting biodiversity and aiding conservation efforts
Celia Pizzuto5 January 2023
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in last year, global warming increasingly threatens ecosystems and species, and is expected to have severe and widespread impacts on global biodiversity.
Presenting AI artists and visionaries
Celia Pizzuto16 December 2022
Exploratory. Imaginative. Innovative. Together, these three concepts define the work of world-leading artists using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create unique works of art. These AI artists have been invited to share their visions and perspectives with the United Nations’ community at AI for Good in the Artistic Intelligence Visionary Initiative (A.I.V.I.).
Understanding and addressing the barriers to equitable energy access
12 December 2022
Energy is at the center of human and economic development – it is what powers economies and sustains societies. People need energy to heat and cool homes, travel from one place to another, manufacture items we rely upon on a daily basis, and more. The inability to fulfill basic energy needs, in turn, could be a constraint to development.
How can AI help protect and sustain our global forest ecosystems
Pierre-Adrien Hanania and Sarah Kennedy, Capgemini19 October 2022
Since 1990, the area of primary forest worldwide has decreased by over 80 million hectares through deforestation, forest degradation, and wildfire – that’s according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Autonomous drones saving lives and powering disaster preparedness
19 October 2022
Last week marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Held every October 13, the day raises awareness about world disasters and the importance of reducing exposure and minimizing risks.
Cracking the code on supply chain sustainability: How AI and data are creating more responsible operations
Sheri Hinish, Global Services and Alliances Lead, IBM Consulting Sustainability Services13 October 2022
Supply chain and sustainability topics have dominated global business headlines for more than two years. The interconnectedness of climate change and supply chain disruptions highlights the complexity of supply chains, including the impact in realizing the 2030 vision of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning from CEOs: Collaboration and connectivity are keys to navigating sustainability
4 October 2022
It’s the most frequently identified challenge CEOs expect to face over the next two to three years. It’s more vexing than regulation, cyber risk, and even supply chain disruptions.
Meet Sipremo: A winning start-up using AI to make cities more resilient to climate change
20 April 2022
One of the most pressing issues facing cities and urban spaces are the future impacts of climate change, and how to make critical decisions related to mitigation and response.
In Helsinki, experimentation brings AI to life
18 February 2022
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential benefits for cities such as greater efficiency but there are also risks and new challenges, from procurement to governance.
The drive to use AI for safer roads
18 October 2021
Aiming to halve deaths and injuries due to road crashes by 2030, partners under the United Nations banner have set out to tap into emerging technologies fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI).
Indian firm’s digital solution for urban waste pickers
30 July 2021
As India’s cities keep expanding, so does the waste they generate.
How US cities are using artificial intelligence to boost vaccine uptake
7 May 2021
US President Joe Biden recently announced a goal for 70 per cent of the adult US population to have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot by July 4.
Can drones and AI help tackle litter?
8 April 2021
A pilot scheme in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) in the United Kingdom will see drones used to help councils reduce litter.
Towards environmental efficiency in the age of AI
17 December 2020
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies has sparked the need for a sustainable approach able to safeguard the environment.
Hits, misses, and lessons learned: How Estonia delivers public services in the age of AI
18 November 2020
Estonia, a world leader in digital governance, is now harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to upgrade their systems and become even more readily available to meet citizens’ needs.
Digital twin cities and the future of urban planning
21 October 2020
Bentley Systems and Microsoft have announced the expansion of a strategic alliance to advance the use of digital twins in city planning and citizen engagement.
Helsinki and Amsterdam launch AI registers to detail city systems
30 September 2020
The cities of Helsinki and Amsterdam have worked together to each launch an Artificial Intelligence Register, which they describe as “a window to the AI systems that the cities use”. The registers are thought to be the first of their kind in the world.
From dream to reality: Developing sustainable smart cities in the United Arab Emirates
24 August 2020
The dream of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop smart cities stemmed from the government’s Vision 2021, an ambitious plan to make the UAE amongst the best countries in the world. By building smart cities, the UAE would clear the path to achieve one of Vision 2021’s six national priorities: that of a sustainable environment and infrastructure.
How can AI help build a more sustainable and equitable society?
1 April 2019
Much has been said about the ability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to greatly enhance productivity.
How data standards will improve IoT and Smart Cities: report
1 October 2018
The Georgia Institute of Technology is an Academia Member of ITU. The university’s Center for the Development and Application of Internet of Things Technologies (CDAIT) recently released a new paper titled “Foundational Research in Integrated Building Internet of Things (IoT) Data Standards.”
The importance of ‘techno-ethics’ for developing smart cities.
2 August 2018
Jack Aldane spoke to Jonathan Reichental, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Palo Alto to hear what it’s like to run the digital operations of the city that gave birth to Silicon Valley.
Moscow embraces digitization to improve the standard of living
27 July 2018
Jonathan Andrews reports from Moscow on how the city has dramatically reduced bureaucracy and modernised its services as the mayor prepares to approve the new Smart Moscow strategy.
How urban tech start-ups can have the biggest impact
12 July 2018
Jack Aldane spoke with Mark Paris, Managing Partner, Urban Us and Managing Director of URBAN-X, which is providing investment to support urban tech start-ups. Below is an excerpted version of the exchange.
How Melbourne, Australia uses AI to cut water treatment costs
29 June 2018
An Australian water utility is using artificial intelligence (AI) to bring down electricity costs in its water treatment plants.
From steel to high tech The Pittsburgh model of economic reinvention VIDEO
4 June 2018
Cities worldwide are considering ways to better leverage information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance, or even rebuild, economic growth.
Towards an ‘Internet of Cities’: The art of community in AI and smart cities
22 May 2018
“The idea of a ‘tailored smart city’ is a very important one. We can, through AI, enhance the cultural heritage of each city to make sure that there are as many different definitions of a smart city as there are cities in the world,” says Alexandre Cadain of Ecole Normale Supérieure, co-lead of the ‘Breakthrough team’ on ‘AI and smart cities and communities’ at the 2nd AI for Good Global Summit.
Smart Cities must place citizen needs first, earn trust: Francesca Bria (VIDEO)
21 May 2018
Rather than focus on technology and its challenges, it is important to first build on citizen needs, which can in turn lead to technological solutions.
How AI and Big Data are tackling the health impacts of urbanisation
16 May 2018
The terms ‘Big Data’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are becoming commonplace across industries far beyond the tech sector.
AI can help to bridge the digital divide and create an inclusive society
23 April 2018
Globally, there are large disparities in access to health, education, etc. and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No. 
Q&A: Gyu Myoung Lee on the power of IoT and AI to support Smart Cities
13 April 2018
The 8th Green Standards Week wrapped up yesterday in Zanzibar, Tanzania, concluding four days of debate around the innovation required to transition to resource-efficient ‘circular economies’.
Singapore’s data strategy targets regional growth
19 January 2018
The story of Singapore’s birth in 1965 is ingrained in the population to this day. The single-layer government knew at the time that it had to be creative to build Singapore’s economy.
Industry leaders call 5G and Artificial Intelligence emblematic of the shift to a smarter society
8 December 2017
Security and privacy by design, open APIs, network virtualization, identity and authorization, analytics and accessibility have been identified by industry leaders as core principles to guide ITU standardization work towards 2020.
Smart banking for smart cities: How AI could improve financial access
27 September 2017
“AI is going to eliminate jobs.” “Jobs will not be eliminated, they will simply change.” This was a central line of debate at a session on ‘smart’ banking for smart cities at ITU Telecom World, held this year in the smart city of Busan, Republic of Korea.

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