U4SSC – Case study – Unlocking the potential of trust-based AI for city science and smarter cities

In recent years, people have been moving from the countryside to cities in huge numbers. The urban population around the world is expected to reach 5 billion by 2030, bringing huge opportunities for the economic and social development of cities but also placing a strain on infrastructure and amplifying the challenges posed by energy use and climate change and threats to health and the environment. Unlocking the Potential of Trust-Based AI for City Science and Smarter Cities is a case study, part of the United 4 Smart Sustainable Cities initiative, that highlights the need to manage governance and service delivery to mitigate some of the effects of rapid urbanization. The emerging model of connected, smart cities leverages new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data and real-time control, with the data being fed into intelligent applications for transport, healthcare and the environment to optimize city living. The report explores the opportunities of managed growth in smart cities, but also the security and privacy threats.