Smart Cities: How AI and IoT Can Transform Urban Living

Once a futuristic concept, the number of smart cities is starting to rapidly grow. 

With more people living in urban areas, cities are having to become increasingly digitalised to adapt to the growing needs of populations. As a result, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming a driving force behind the digital transformation of a city.

From efficiency to sustainability, these technologies are now offering a broad range of solutions to challenges that are impacting urban environments today.

In considering this, Extreme Networks’ Kurt Semba explains how AI and IoT can be instrumental in powering the era of the smart city.

What role does networking play in creating smarter cities?

Networks form the backbone of smart city infrastructure. Sensors, devices, and systems are all interconnected, allowing cities to monitor everything from traffic flow to energy usage in real-time. 

By collecting and analysing data from IoT devices across the network, cities can not only produce a useful overview of digital processes but also use this information to optimise operations that improve daily life, such as waste management, water distribution, and public transportation. 

Using data analytics in this way ensures that resources are directed to where they’re needed most, used as efficiently as possible, and decision-makers can promptly respond to any issues that arise. Moreover, a modern network infrastructure enhances management efficiency by providing IT teams with comprehensive oversight tools. 

These tools enable operations teams to monitor and control Wi-Fi capacity, adjust settings for wireless devices like access points, and access real-time information about network performance. With this holistic view of the city’s network, teams can dynamically optimise performance and create a seamless experience for all users connected to the system.

Given the projected rise in the number of IoT devices –18.8 billion expected by the end of 2024 – a robust and scalable network infrastructure is essential not only for accommodating the growing number of devices but also to avoid network strain so that the smart city can manage all this data effectively.

How is AI contributing to the development of smart cities?

AI can take IoT data and transform it into actionable insights. For example, in a smart city where IoT digital cameras are connected to the network, AI systems can predict traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights accordingly to reduce delays, improving commuter transportation. 

AI does this by using algorithms to help identify trends and anticipate challenges, enabling cities to be proactive rather than reactive.

This can also apply to infrastructure, as sensors embedded in bridges or buildings can alert city officials to potential structural issues before they become critical, saving time, money, and potentially lives. Additionally, AI can improve emergency responsiveness by integrating with systems like fire alarms and emergency lighting to automatically alert emergency response teams, facilitating quicker evacuations and minimising the time it takes for emergency personnel to arrive on the scene.

How can these technologies address sustainability in cities?

70% of all CO2 emissions come from cities, which puts sustainability among the top priorities for urban areas. For this reason, sustainability has become a core objective of digital transformation and network planning when it comes to smart cities.

Smart city systems interconnected through the network can be used to better control CO2 consumption, again, with the help of centralised AI and data analytics. For example, smart energy grids allow cities to analyse energy usage patterns and automatically adjust heating, cooling and lighting systems. 

This enables them to better manage energy consumption and increase energy efficiency, reducing waste and contributing to more sustainable operations.

Network infrastructure supports these sustainability initiatives by enabling seamless communication between devices, improving data flow, and ensuring efficient management of resources across various smart city systems.

What are the challenges facing smart city technology adoption?

One of the key challenges is data privacy and security. IoT devices generate vast amounts of data, and interconnected systems can increase the city’s exposure to potential risks, so it’s important to prioritise robust network security.  

Solutions such as Zero Trust, a security model that assumes default untrustworthiness, can be effective in securing smart city networks by only giving users and devices the access they need, helping to identify and contain any potential threats. 

Another promising solution is the use of Fabric technology, which can segment network infrastructure to create isolated, secure environments. 

For instance, Fabric can be used to separate public Wi-Fi from sensitive systems such as those used by emergency response teams or traffic control, reducing the risk of cyberattacks spreading across the network. 

This segmentation helps limit the potential impact of breaches by ensuring that a compromised part of the network doesn’t easily affect other critical systems. By creating these virtual silos, cities can better protect their essential services while still benefiting from interconnected technologies.

How do you see the future of smart cities evolving?

The future of smart cities is undoubtedly exciting. We’ll see more integration between different systems: infrastructure, public safety, transportation, energy, environmental monitoring, communication and healthcare - allowing cities to operate in an even more cohesive manner. 

For example, Extreme is collaborating with the Living Tomorrow Innovation Campus in Belgium to explore and develop new products that are likely to shape urban life by 2030. This partnership has generated valuable insights into the future of smart building technology, which is expected to see widespread adoption in the coming years. 

From automated assistants greeting guests at the hotel’s front desk to the use of medical wearables and surgical robots in healthcare, to autonomous self-driving cars that interact with their environment,  these technologies – along with other smart innovations being tested and developed in the lab – are set to become increasingly prevalent as both public and private sectors strive to modernise, enhance operational efficiency, and improve services. 

These advancements also align with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints, highlighting the growing importance of sustainable practices in urban development.

As more organisations upgrade and fortify their networks with advanced technologies like Wi-Fi 7, which significantly increases network capacity, IoT devices will become even more efficient and users can expect even faster data transfer and lower latency, delivering a more seamless experience. 

The number of smart cities will also grow, particularly as developing countries continue to strengthen their networks, paving the way for a future of global interconnectivity.

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