As cities increasingly adopt AI for mobility, city administration, and inclusivity, Professor Jung-hoon Lee shares key insights from the Smart Cities Index, highlighting the trends shaping the future of urban development
At the FIWARE Global Summit, we were privileged to witness a preview of the upcoming Smart Cities Index Report 2024, where Professor Jung-hoon Lee outlined some emerging trends in smart city development.
Following his presentation, we had an insightful conversation with him, where he elaborated on how cities like Seoul are pioneering the integration of AI into urban infrastructure.
Professor Lee also highlighted how AI is shaping mobility, city administration, and inclusive services, particularly through smart city platforms.
His analysis offered a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities cities face as they adopt AI technologies, positioning them to enhance citizen services and optimize urban data management globally.
AI adoption rate is faster than ever
“Cities become more intelligent compared to 2022 and the adoption rate is faster than ever” Professor Lee explained. His team analyzed over 5,000 smart city services, infrastructure, and initiatives across 50 cities, and found that 14% of strong use of advanced technologies such as AI, Robot, and XR was only 6% in 2022. He said two-digit growth, unlikely from previous findings, came from AI usage (48%) where mobility and city administrations are the fastest-growing sectors of urban intelligence in smart city development.
AI in Mobility: A Growing Dominant Trend
"Mobility has been one of the main drivers of smart city development for the past ten years, and it’s where cities are seeing the most value from AI," Professor Lee explained."We’ve tracked AI adoption every two years," said Lee. Cities increasingly rely on AI for traffic management, public transportation, and more efficient mobility services. We expect more autonomous multi-modal services, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), and more Robot applications for logistics to improve our quality of life. For many, mobility is the most tangible and immediate benefit of smart city technology.
AI in City Administration: Improving Efficiency
Cities are also leveraging AI in their administrative functions to boost productivity. "A key example is call centers," Lee noted. "During the post-COVID-19 period, many cities deployed chatbot-based AI models to handle the surge in social inquiries, particularly in areas like welfare." These systems provide faster, more consistent responses and have helped alleviate the workload of city employees.
One particularly innovative use of AI is in social services. Professor Lee highlighted Korea's virtual AI social workers, designed to assist elderly residents living alone. "These AI agents mimic human social workers, keeping track of previous conversations and offering personalized interactions. Through regular chats, they can even detect early signs of dementia, helping cities monitor the well-being of vulnerable citizens."
Inclusive Cities: AI for Everyone
"One of the key trends we've observed between 2022 and 2024 is the focus on inclusivity," Lee said. "Every city we analyzed emphasized using AI to ensure that no one is left behind." This trend reflects a broader recognition that smart cities must not only be efficient but also equitable—making services accessible to all citizens, regardless of age or ability.
The Rise of Smart City Platforms
Another significant trend is the rise of smart city platforms. "In 2022, only 16% of cities were using smart city platforms," Professor Lee noted. "By 2024, that number has jumped to over 60%." These platforms, which integrate and manage a city's data, have become essential for data-driven innovation. "Cities are realizing that data is critical, and they need the right tools—platforms like FIWARE, which we found to be particularly effective."
In South Korea, the Smart City Integrated Platform has seen widespread adoption since 2015, with both public and private sectors working together to support local governments. The National Smart City Project Status of Korea reveals that cities like Daegu and Sineoung have implemented Smart City Data Hubs, crucial for managing urban data and enabling real-time responses.
One key achievement, as seen in Daejeon Metropolitan City, includes a 16.3% reduction in emergency calls thanks to the optimized placement of CCTV and police patrol routes. Additionally, the platform reduced the time for COVID-19 epidemiological investigations from 24 hours to under 10 minutes, showcasing its value in both public safety and health.
These platforms are expected to grow even more complex and critical as cities continue to adopt AI-driven solutions and other advanced technologies such as digital twins. "Cities are increasingly dependent on these platforms to manage vast amounts of data efficiently and optimize their infrastructure," Professor Lee noted. "This is the next big trend we're expecting to see."
Emerging Players: Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia
Professor Lee also identified several cities and regions that are emerging as leaders in smart city development. "Japan has made a significant shift in the last few years," he said. "They’ve launched the Super City program, with cities like Osaka and other two. Tokyo is also taking the lead in smart city projects based on the Society 5.0 initiative including mobility, healthcare and government services. Japan is even promoting its smart city innovations abroad."
Germany, too, has become increasingly active, transitioning from a focus on individual technologies to a more integrated national strategy for smart cities with green technological innovation. Saudi Arabia, with projects in cities like Riyadh and Medina, is developing comprehensive smart city strategies, though implementation is still in its early stages. "Saudi Arabia’s approach, especially in terms of citizen engagement and living labs, is very promising, but we’re still waiting to see the next steps," Lee observed.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for AI in Cities?
As cities continue to adopt AI, Professor Lee sees two major trends on the horizon. "First, the growth of smart platforms will continue. These platforms are becoming more complex and will need to handle vast amounts of data efficiently. Second, cities will need to optimize AI for specific domains—whether it’s social welfare or transportation—before they can integrate these systems across broader functions."
Professor Lee's research provides a clear picture of how cities worldwide are evolving, but it also underscores the challenges that lie ahead. AI holds incredible promise for making cities more responsive, efficient, and inclusive, but it will require careful planning, strong security measures, and a focus on trust to truly succeed.
The Evolution of the Smart Cities Index Report
Since 2017, the Smart Cities Index Report has been published every two years, offering a comprehensive analysis of smart cities worldwide. The report tracks the progress of leading cities in adopting smart city technologies, providing insights into current trends and forecasting future developments. Each edition of the report focuses on the performance of cities across eight key dimensions, including urban openness, urban intelligence & sustainability, infra. integration, collaborative partnership, urban innovation, and smart city governance.
In 2024, the report now covers 50 cities, expanding its scope and offering deeper insights into the digital transformation of urban centers globally from strategic policy to implementation of various services and infrastructures. Notably, cities like Barcelona, London, Seoul, and New York have consistently featured in the report, alongside rising stars such as Taipei and Riyadh.
This year’s report continues to highlight critical areas such as AI adoption, data-driven governance, and smart city platforms, reflecting the accelerating pace of urban innovation.
The full Smart Cities Index Report will be disclosed at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona this November 7th, offering a detailed look at the progress made by cities worldwide and the trends shaping the future of smart city development.
by Esther Fuldauer, The Smart City Journal
As cities increasingly adopt AI for mobility, city administration, and inclusivity, Professor Jung-hoon Lee shares key insights from the Smart Cities Index, highlighting the trends shaping the future of urban development
At the FIWARE Global Summit, we were privileged to witness a preview of the upcoming Smart Cities Index Report 2024, where Professor Jung-hoon Lee outlined some emerging trends in smart city development.
Following his presentation, we had an insightful conversation with him, where he elaborated on how cities like Seoul are pioneering the integration of AI into urban infrastructure.
Professor Lee also highlighted how AI is shaping mobility, city administration, and inclusive services, particularly through smart city platforms.
His analysis offered a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities cities face as they adopt AI technologies, positioning them to enhance citizen services and optimize urban data management globally.
AI adoption rate is faster than ever
“Cities become more intelligent compared to 2022 and the adoption rate is faster than ever” Professor Lee explained. His team analyzed over 5,000 smart city services, infrastructure, and initiatives across 50 cities, and found that 14% of strong use of advanced technologies such as AI, Robot, and XR was only 6% in 2022. He said two-digit growth, unlikely from previous findings, came from AI usage (48%) where mobility and city administrations are the fastest-growing sectors of urban intelligence in smart city development.
AI in Mobility: A Growing Dominant Trend
"Mobility has been one of the main drivers of smart city development for the past ten years, and it’s where cities are seeing the most value from AI," Professor Lee explained."We’ve tracked AI adoption every two years," said Lee. Cities increasingly rely on AI for traffic management, public transportation, and more efficient mobility services. We expect more autonomous multi-modal services, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), and more Robot applications for logistics to improve our quality of life. For many, mobility is the most tangible and immediate benefit of smart city technology.
AI in City Administration: Improving Efficiency
Cities are also leveraging AI in their administrative functions to boost productivity. "A key example is call centers," Lee noted. "During the post-COVID-19 period, many cities deployed chatbot-based AI models to handle the surge in social inquiries, particularly in areas like welfare." These systems provide faster, more consistent responses and have helped alleviate the workload of city employees.
One particularly innovative use of AI is in social services. Professor Lee highlighted Korea's virtual AI social workers, designed to assist elderly residents living alone. "These AI agents mimic human social workers, keeping track of previous conversations and offering personalized interactions. Through regular chats, they can even detect early signs of dementia, helping cities monitor the well-being of vulnerable citizens."
Inclusive Cities: AI for Everyone
"One of the key trends we've observed between 2022 and 2024 is the focus on inclusivity," Lee said. "Every city we analyzed emphasized using AI to ensure that no one is left behind." This trend reflects a broader recognition that smart cities must not only be efficient but also equitable—making services accessible to all citizens, regardless of age or ability.
The Rise of Smart City Platforms
Another significant trend is the rise of smart city platforms. "In 2022, only 16% of cities were using smart city platforms," Professor Lee noted. "By 2024, that number has jumped to over 60%." These platforms, which integrate and manage a city's data, have become essential for data-driven innovation. "Cities are realizing that data is critical, and they need the right tools—platforms like FIWARE, which we found to be particularly effective."
In South Korea, the Smart City Integrated Platform has seen widespread adoption since 2015, with both public and private sectors working together to support local governments. The National Smart City Project Status of Korea reveals that cities like Daegu and Sineoung have implemented Smart City Data Hubs, crucial for managing urban data and enabling real-time responses.
One key achievement, as seen in Daejeon Metropolitan City, includes a 16.3% reduction in emergency calls thanks to the optimized placement of CCTV and police patrol routes. Additionally, the platform reduced the time for COVID-19 epidemiological investigations from 24 hours to under 10 minutes, showcasing its value in both public safety and health.
These platforms are expected to grow even more complex and critical as cities continue to adopt AI-driven solutions and other advanced technologies such as digital twins. "Cities are increasingly dependent on these platforms to manage vast amounts of data efficiently and optimize their infrastructure," Professor Lee noted. "This is the next big trend we're expecting to see."
Emerging Players: Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia
Professor Lee also identified several cities and regions that are emerging as leaders in smart city development. "Japan has made a significant shift in the last few years," he said. "They’ve launched the Super City program, with cities like Osaka and other two. Tokyo is also taking the lead in smart city projects based on the Society 5.0 initiative including mobility, healthcare and government services. Japan is even promoting its smart city innovations abroad."
Germany, too, has become increasingly active, transitioning from a focus on individual technologies to a more integrated national strategy for smart cities with green technological innovation. Saudi Arabia, with projects in cities like Riyadh and Medina, is developing comprehensive smart city strategies, though implementation is still in its early stages. "Saudi Arabia’s approach, especially in terms of citizen engagement and living labs, is very promising, but we’re still waiting to see the next steps," Lee observed.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for AI in Cities?
As cities continue to adopt AI, Professor Lee sees two major trends on the horizon. "First, the growth of smart platforms will continue. These platforms are becoming more complex and will need to handle vast amounts of data efficiently. Second, cities will need to optimize AI for specific domains—whether it’s social welfare or transportation—before they can integrate these systems across broader functions."
Professor Lee's research provides a clear picture of how cities worldwide are evolving, but it also underscores the challenges that lie ahead. AI holds incredible promise for making cities more responsive, efficient, and inclusive, but it will require careful planning, strong security measures, and a focus on trust to truly succeed.
The Evolution of the Smart Cities Index Report
Since 2017, the Smart Cities Index Report has been published every two years, offering a comprehensive analysis of smart cities worldwide. The report tracks the progress of leading cities in adopting smart city technologies, providing insights into current trends and forecasting future developments. Each edition of the report focuses on the performance of cities across eight key dimensions, including urban openness, urban intelligence & sustainability, infra. integration, collaborative partnership, urban innovation, and smart city governance.
In 2024, the report now covers 50 cities, expanding its scope and offering deeper insights into the digital transformation of urban centers globally from strategic policy to implementation of various services and infrastructures. Notably, cities like Barcelona, London, Seoul, and New York have consistently featured in the report, alongside rising stars such as Taipei and Riyadh.
This year’s report continues to highlight critical areas such as AI adoption, data-driven governance, and smart city platforms, reflecting the accelerating pace of urban innovation.
The full Smart Cities Index Report will be disclosed at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona this November 7th, offering a detailed look at the progress made by cities worldwide and the trends shaping the future of smart city development.
by Esther Fuldauer, The Smart City Journal