Artificial intelligence in cities
This Thematic Group will develop frameworks and methodologies to harness AI in conjunction with other frontier technologies such as big data, IoT, cloud computing, and robotics to deliver urban services more efficiently and effectively. The Group will explore how agentic AI systems, capable of autonomous interaction and adaptive decision-making, can support city management, sustainability goals, and citizen engagement in an ethical, transparent, and human-centred manner.
Co-leaders: Okan Geray (Digital Dubai) and Soumaya Ben Dhaou (UNU-EGOV)
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U4SSC Thematic Groups and Working Groups hold regular e-meetings—join the sessions to stay engaged and contribute.
For any query related to the thematic group, please contact us at u4ssc@itu.int.
The Thematic Group is structured into five Working Groups (WGs).
Below you will find an overview of the ongoing and completed groups, including their leadership and key deliverables.
Ongoing:
WG2
Autonomous Cities
Leader: Okan Geray (Digital Dubai)
Description:
The Working Group develops an AI-enabled framework to assess the viability and requirements of autonomous urban services through real-world cases.
WG3
AI-Driven KPIs Measurement
Leader: Okan Geray (Digital Dubai)
Description:
The Working Group uses novel data sources and AI to improve the speed, accuracy, and sensitivity of KPI measurement.
WG4
FAIR Cities – Foster AI for Inclusive and Responsible cities
Leader: Soumaya Ben Dhaou (UNU-EGOV)
Description:
The Working Group develops gender-sensitive guidance to help cities align AI with local priorities and strengthen responsible, inclusive implementation.
WG5
Agentic and Physical AI for Cities
Leader: Okan Geray (Digital Dubai)
Description:
The Working Group develops architectures and assessment methods for safe, transparent, and effective autonomous AI agents in cities.
Completed:
WG1
Guiding principles for artificial intelligence in cities
Leader: Okan Geray (Digital Dubai)
Description:
The Working Group developed guiding principles, enablers, and practical methods to help cities adopt AI responsibly, supported by case studies.
Sub-groups
Principles Framework
Leader: Gokce Cobansoy Hizel (Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S)
Enablers Framework
Co-leaders: Asma Karoui (GIZ) and Muriuki Mureithi (Summit Strategies ltd)
Policy & Governance Framework
Co-leaders: Elena Ardelean (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change) and Velan TS (Evercomm)
Assessment / Implementation Framework
Co-leaders: Bettina Tratz-Ryan (Gartner) and Pedro Garibi (T-Systems Iberia)
Deliverables:
Guiding principles for artificial intelligence in cities
Case study – Hong Kong [Read online]
Case study – Dubai [Read online]
Case study – Buenos Aires [Read online]
Case study – Singapore [Read online]
Case study – Copenhagen [Read online]