Technology
Why the future city is AI
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he world around us is getting smarter every day. From the way we work to the way we travel, from our homes to our offices, technology can be found both at the forefront and in the background of our day to day lives. As this continues to evolve, what does it mean for our future cities?
However, flexibility will be key for this promised land of efficiencies and technology to run smoothly, as authorities continue to support the needs of a developing population while staying on budget.
In Edinburgh, for example, CGI is working with the council to develop a smart city system that utilises AI, Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics technologies to support the services and businesses within the community.
Business and citizen experience of the smart city
Simply put, the future is smart. Smart cities are soon to become the norm to offer a more efficient and connected environment for citizens, visitors, residents and employees alike. And what’s more, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a huge role in how these cities will function.
What would an AI-driven smart city mean for business? The smart city can interact and support various businesses, from shops to cafés, offices to restaurants - and everything in between. While this may sound simple, when you consider the vast and varying needs of one business, then multiply that by dozens on one street, then by dozens of streets, and you begin to build a picture of how diverse and complex a network that is needed.
The smart city affords organisations a smoother process by harmonising interconnected aspects such as transportation and logistics. Our intelligent transport solutions, for example, work to improve customer service and loyalty and reduce customer churn and costs. From mitigating public transport delays to redirecting traffic to improve parking situations, a smart city should work to harmonise the environment around it.
Local authorities across the UK want to unlock the value of future-thinking and sustainable smart cities and connected communities. This can be achieved through a range of solutions which help them to make step changes in citizen centricity, increase improvements in operating cost and productivity, and establish innovative business models and improve environmental outcomes.
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However, the role of AI and machine learning (ML) in supporting businesses can go beyond the expected. Utilising factors such as gamification can increase footfall, direct customers, and encourage loyalty from clients will all support and expand the smart city concept.
What’s more, for the environmentally-conscious citizen, the integration of business and smart cities can unlock further emission reductions by utilising smart tech such as AI and IoT to limit waste. From issuing immediate back-office processes such as invoices to better storage through the cloud, an organisation looking to reduce waste and emissions can be more eco-savvy in a smart
