At the SmartCitiesWorld Summit 2026, a virtual panel discussion titled "Unlocking value in cities from buildings, data and AI" brought together experts to explore how urban centers can harness their built environment, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence to drive resilience, sustainability, and economic growth. The session underscored the need for a strategic, risk-based approach to infrastructure resilience, moving beyond piecemeal projects toward integrated, place-based strategies.
The panel highlighted that cities are sitting on vast amounts of untapped value—both in physical assets like buildings and in data streams generated by sensors, IoT devices, and citizen interactions. By combining these with AI and machine learning, municipalities can optimize energy use, improve public services, and anticipate challenges before they escalate.
Key Themes from the Discussion
Sam Markey, founder of Recurve, emphasized that strategic procurement is one of the most underused tools available to cities. He argued that procurement decisions—from selecting vendors to specifying performance criteria—can be leveraged to build local capacity, foster long-term climate impact, and embed resilience into every project. "Every dollar spent is an opportunity to shape the future," Markey noted, urging cities to prioritize outcomes over lowest initial costs.
Another major theme was the role of local authorities in shaping energy systems. The panel discussed how cities can accelerate the transition to renewables, integrate flexibility and storage solutions, and create smarter energy networks. By using data and AI to forecast demand and manage distributed energy resources, municipalities can reduce carbon footprints, lower costs, and enhance grid reliability.
Real-World Examples: Sunderland and Dublin
The panel showcased two cities that are leading by example. Sunderland, in the UK, is repositioning itself as a smart city by combining digital infrastructure with low-carbon innovation. The city’s strategy includes deploying IoT sensors across public assets, using AI to optimize traffic flow and waste collection, and partnering with local universities to develop new energy storage technologies. This integrated approach is helping Sunderland attract investment, create green jobs, and build a future-proof economy.
Dublin, meanwhile, is focusing on digital twins and AI to improve urban experiences and services. The city has implemented a digital twin of its central business district, allowing planners to simulate the impact of new developments, traffic reductions, and green spaces before making changes. AI-powered analytics help reduce congestion by adjusting traffic light timings in real time, and the city is using data from sensors to monitor air quality and noise levels. These innovations have contributed to economic growth while making Dublin a more livable city.
Smart Lighting and Cybersecurity
The discussion also touched on the evolution of smart lighting infrastructure. As cities upgrade streetlights to LED and connect them to the Internet of Things, they gain opportunities to collect data on pedestrian movement, air quality, and even parking availability. However, these networks also introduce cybersecurity risks. Panelists from the "Cities Thriving on Lighting" series emphasized that security must be built in from the start, with encryption, regular updates, and clear governance frameworks. The second episode of that series specifically explored how existing streetlight networks can be transformed into secure, interoperable, and future-proof infrastructure.
AI in Transport and Operations
Katherine Flesh of Microsoft shared insights on how transport agencies are turning to AI to improve services. She noted that the greatest opportunities lie not just in algorithms, but in strong data foundations, workforce readiness, and responsible governance. "The most advanced AI is useless without clean, accessible data and people who know how to act on it," Flesh said. She encouraged cities to invest in data literacy programs and to establish ethics boards to oversee AI deployments in areas like traffic management, predictive maintenance, and public safety.
These themes were further explored in on-demand panel discussions at the summit, including one focused on "AI in city operations – from pilots to everyday practice" and another on "Operating smarter: using digital twins and AI to reshape urban infrastructure management." Both sessions reinforced the need for cities to move beyond experimental projects and embed AI into core operations.
Climate Finance and Systems Thinking
Broader topics such as climate finance and systems thinking also emerged during the panel. Speakers argued that cities must connect people, data, infrastructure, and investment into coherent strategies. This means not only funding green projects but using tools like green bonds, public-private partnerships, and performance-based contracts. Systems thinking helps city leaders understand the interdependencies between energy, transport, housing, and waste—so that a solution in one area doesn't create problems in another.
Ecomondo, a leading environmental trade fair, highlighted the importance of sharing practical solutions and building new connections among cities. The organization emphasized that the SmartCitiesWorld Summit provides a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, where cities can learn from each other's successes and failures. This collaborative spirit is essential for scaling innovations that work.
As cities continue to grapple with climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure, the insights from this panel offer a roadmap for unlocking value. By treating buildings as dynamic assets, data as a strategic resource, and AI as a tool for better decision-making, urban leaders can create more resilient, efficient, and equitable places to live. The key is moving from isolated projects to integrated, risk-based approaches that leverage the full potential of digital and physical assets.
Source:Smart Cities World News