The role of artificial intelligence in building smart cities

A McKinsey Global Institute report found that “smart cities” can improve basic quality-of-life indicators by 10-30%, such as shortening commute times, reducing crime, reducing health burdens, and even lowering carbon emissions. Smart cities use technology and data to make better decisions and provide a higher quality of life.

What makes a city “smart”?

A smart city is one with smart physical, civic and economic infrastructure. It provides residents with innovative technology, practical facilities and mobility, free from bureaucracy. The ultimate goal of smart cities is better quality of life, convenience, economic growth and sustainable development.

According to research from McKinsey Global Institute, there are three levels for smart cities to work:

1. The technology base consists of smartphones and sensors that generate data and connect to high-speed networks.
2. Computers process raw data, provide insights and generate alerts.
3. Public adoption and use of these technologies will lead to better decision-making and behavior change.

How can artificial intelligence be used in smart cities?

1. Traffic Management: Intelligent traffic management systems can solve congestion problems by notifying drivers of roadblocks and delays. It can use deep learning algorithms to predict and reduce traffic flow, which will help reduce carbon emissions. Traffic accidents can be significantly reduced using traffic violation detection systems and AI-powered cameras.
2. Environmental protection: Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze citizens’ energy usage data and decide where renewable energy can be used. Additionally, cities can be shown where energy is wasted and measures to save energy can be suggested. AI can also analyze and predict pollution levels, which will help authorities make decisions that are best for the environment.
3. Public Transportation: With the help of artificial intelligence, users can learn about public transportation in real time, improving time and customer satisfaction. Automated buses in cities could reduce emissions and improve routes.
4. Parking: Using license plate recognition technology, parking lots can enforce fines on vehicles parked longer than they should. Waiting users can be notified of available space based on the size of their car.
5. Healthcare: Patient monitoring systems can detect chronic diseases early and help prevent them. Citizens’ health reports can be analyzed and medical consultations conducted. Chatbots can provide medical assistance, information support, and schedule appointments.
6. Waste management: Artificial intelligence can distinguish between different types of waste, track their closest location, and monitor their fill levels to prevent overflows. Artificial intelligence can sort recyclables more efficiently and quickly.
7. Safety: AI-enabled cameras can detect crimes and report them immediately to authorities. Drones can recognize faces and compare them to databases, tracking their identities and authenticating people entering cities or restricted areas.

Companies applying artificial intelligence in smart cities

1. New Zealand-based startup ARCubed has created an artificial intelligence bin called One Bin that uses computers Visually sort recyclable materials from trash. This eliminates sorting errors and diverts waste from landfills. Garbage collectors are also notified when bins are full.
2. Deep tech startup Machine Can See provides vehicle movement predictions. Analyze and model cars in urban areas using computer vision and physics simulation. The startup is also involved in building smart parking solutions.
3. Pure Skies is an air pollution control device developed by Devic Earth that supports pulsed radio wave technology working over a wireless network. It can accelerate the removal of pollutants at a speed 6-7 times the natural speed of the dry sedimentation process.
4. Sentry AI provides security monitoring solutions. Face and vehicle detection using computer vision. Can be used in property management to detect any intrusions or unusual behavior.
5. Upciti uses artificial intelligence-based image analysis to ensure optimal flow of people and goods. It provides solutions such as smart parking and smart lighting that count vehicles and pedestrians to reduce energy consumption.
6. Hayden AI combines computer vision with onboard sensors and embedded connectivity like 5G to help municipalities create smarter fleets capable of protecting bus and bike lanes, keeping school zones safe, and more. It makes transportation more efficient, reduces hazards, automates complex processes and improves public services.
7. IntelliVision provides insight and intelligence for security monitoring. Can detect intrusions, recognize faces and license plate numbers.
8. Arrive is committed to improving parking conditions in cities by providing smart parking solutions. Using its technology, users can even use Alexa to help find parking spaces.
9. Telensa helps cities reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Sensors on each streetlight are connected to a central management system, and the system's lighting can be fine-tuned based on data from other sensors.

What are the advantages of integrating artificial intelligence into smart cities?

1. The application of artificial intelligence in cities will enhance the personalized delivery of services, help predict and predict future trends, and simulate the adoption of various policies before they are implemented.
2. Artificial intelligence will help improve cities’ financial management through targeted forecasting and expenditure management.
3. AI will improve equity in towns and cities by making recommendations and taking action on welfare systems such as public distribution, primary healthcare and education.
4. Artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on the environment through energy, waste and traffic management.
5. Artificial intelligence will increase the productivity of workers with the help of efficient products and services, thereby promoting economic growth in cities.

What are the challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into smart cities?

1. Lack of funds and technological advantages are major challenges facing the development of artificial intelligence cities.
2. Implementing and maintaining sensors in smart cities requires expensive infrastructure.
3. Natural disasters such as floods can damage artificial intelligence equipment.
4. Privacy and security of citizens are other major concerns. The threat of cyberattacks will always be on people's minds.
5. While developing smart cities, it is necessary to ensure that the data collected is free of all kinds of bias. Furthermore, the process of data collection should be transparent and consent-based.

Smart cities based on artificial intelligence can play a key role in transforming urban areas, as well as improving living standards and promoting economic growth. However, the above challenges hinder the achievement of its goals and need to be addressed urgently. Furthermore, governments, technology companies, and citizens must collaborate to leverage AI to create prosperous cities.

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