Track: Enabling Technologies

The convening of the Coalition of Global City CIOs at the Smart City Expo and World Congress forms part of a programme of activities taking place in Barcelona. This is the second convening of the group of digital and innovation leaders from major European cities this year.

Citizens’ assemblies and deliberative processes can strengthen democratic efficacy by ensuring that citizens’ voices, concerns, and perspectives are meaningfully considered. A key challenge remains: how can citizen participation move beyond small, one-off exercises to become a continuous and scalable component of modern governance? The ASCIF Side-Event, “Scaling Democratic Engagement: Keeping Every Citizen in the Loop,”

One year after presenting a shared European CitiVerse vision at SCEWC 25, the four EU co-funded projects return to showcase real results from pilot cities across Europe. Through live demonstrations, practical use cases and lessons learned, the session explores how immersive digital infrastructure can create public value for citizens, cities and regions.

As cities move from pilot projects to city‑wide smart water deployments, many discover that proprietary connectivity and data models lock them into single vendors and constrain innovation. This panel will bring together a city/utility leader, meter and platform vendors, and the Open Mobile Alliance to discuss how standards‑based connectivity can unlock scalable, future‑proof water management.

Agentic AI is redefining the relationship between digital technologies and urban and institutional systems, moving beyond decision support toward autonomous execution and coordination. Its adoption is transforming service delivery, infrastructure management, and operational models across both public and private sectors. With recent breakthroughs from leading technology innovators, cities and institutions now have the tools to turn this potential into real, measurable progress. As these systems become embedded in everyday processes, the challenge, and the opportunity, will be to deploy them responsibly at scale, ensuring safety, accountability, interoperability, and lasting public value. The path forward starts with deploying these technologies responsibly, building cities and institutions that are more resilient, efficient, and adaptive for the communities they serve.

This co-organized session presents the CEMR–28DIGITAL programme “Empowering Local Leaders Through AI” and its AI training for local and regional governments’ leaders. By bringing together politicians and partners to discuss the importance of local leaders’ AI literacy for improving governance, and the need to scale practical capacity-building efforts to support cities and regions across Europe.

Connecting AI and sustainability can help create greener, more livable cities, but scaling impact responsibly remains a challenge. The session explores how cities can use AI sustainably and equitably by addressing topics such as governance, partnerships, business models, data, carbon footprint, and accountability, while identifying the enabling conditions needed to build resilient, carbon-neutral and inclusive cities by 2030.

Digital tools are fundamentally changing how cities conceive, deliver, and operate the built environment. What was once a fragmented process is evolving into a more connected, intelligent, and data-driven ecosystem, where design, construction, and operations are increasingly linked across the full lifecycle. This session examines how technologies such as BIM, digital twins, advanced simulation, and automation are transforming the way urban assets are planned, delivered, and managed, opening new possibilities for efficiency, coordination, and performance. In doing so, it reflects on how buildtech is contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and future-ready urban environment.

The way cities design, build and manage their built environment has changed forever. Digital tools are driving efficiency, reducing waste and unlocking new levels of coordination across the entire development lifecycle

The conversation explores the intersection of efficiency, citizen experience and societal impact by examining how technological innovation is helping governments become more agile, systematic, and responsive. Highlighting new opportunities for automation, streamlined workflows, reduced operational burdens, and stronger coordination across departments, the session will consider how these shifts are reshaping the way public administrations operate and deliver services. Building on this, practical applications and key challenges can be identified and examined to inform future action.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a defining force in the evolution of smart cities, reshaping how urban environments are understood, managed, and experienced. As AI moves from experimentation to large-scale implementation, cities are entering a new phase of transformation driven by data, automation, and predictive capabilities. Beyond efficiency and optimization, AI is also redefining the relationship between technology, governance, and society, raising important questions around trust, inclusion, transparency, and public value. This session explores how to harness AI not only to improve urban performance, but to build more resilient, sustainable, and human-centered futures.

Where do cities actually stand on 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and smart networks? An honest assessment of current deployment and the connectivity gaps that still need solving.

AI is moving beyond generating insights or supporting decisions, executing tasks, and interacting with complex environments with increasing autonomy. This session inquiries into what that shift means in practice, examining examples of how agentic AI systems are already being deployed across real-world settings and what their growing capabilities could mean for cities, institutions, and urban services. From autonomous systems, algorithms, LLMs, VLMs, to emerging forms of machine reasoning, the conversation will consider both the opportunities and the implications of AI that does not only assist but increasingly acts.

Cities don't have a talent shortage so much as a time shortage — expertise trapped in legacy systems and retiring minds. This keynote shows how agentic AI captures institutional knowledge, absorbs routine casework, and puts the right insight at the moment of decision, so every employee works faster, smarter, and closer to the mission.

From algorithms that suggest to systems that decide and execute. What autonomous AI agents are already doing in the real world, and what it means for cities.

As cities adapt to growing pressures such as climate change and population growth, urban leaders must rethink infrastructure, buildings, and energy systems to build safer, more sustainable, and future-ready urban environments. Built on today’s breakthroughs and tomorrow’s innovations, what lies ahead is both ambitious and fast approaching. Yet making this vision a reality will require the right funding models and strategic partnerships. This plenary explores what resilient urban infrastructure could look like by 2050, and how AI, energy systems, adaptive design principles, and new models of collaboration may reshape the future of urban life.

Welcome to our 2026 edition – the global stage where urban innovation comes to life. This opening session sets the tone for an exciting journey ahead, with a warm welcome from Smart City Expo director Ugo Valenti and Tomorrow.Mobility president Marc Rozendal. Joining them are high-level representatives who will share how territories around the world are becoming better places to live and thrive. Get ready for three action-packed days of bold ideas and groundbreaking strategies from around the globe.

Participants to the side event will actively engage with real and challenging cases. Starting from ongoing projects, we will share strategies, issues and approaches with peers, and translate those insights into action through a curated walkthrough of the SCEWC exhibition where specific challenges will be connected with the actual technologies and vendors on the floor.

European cities and regions have tested digital twins, AI, data spaces and immersive urban technologies through many pilots.

The next challenge is adoption at scale. This session presents how the LDT CitiVERSE EDIC is moving from fragmented initiatives to concrete services, shared infrastructure and adoption pathways that help cities and regions implement interoperable, reusable and sovereign smart city capabilities.

A high‑level conversation on how the BSC AI Factory and leading public‑sector organisations are enabling Europe’s first wave of real AI deployment. Experts and territorial leaders will address challenges in skills, procurement, data governance and secure environments, and show how HPC, scientific expertise and multidisciplinary teams help move from EU ambition to practical implementation to strengthen administrations and improve public services.

Step into the exhilarating world of Urban Shark Tank, where bold innovators from companies dive into the depths of creative presentations of use cases to captivate a panel of cities committed to climate-smart solutions. Witness the fusion of entrepreneurship, creativity, and sustainability as groundbreaking companies present their visionary ideas, looking for support and collaboration of forward-thinking urban leaders in cities.  

A panel of mayors from Canada, USA and the EU discuss common urban challenges and the value and efficiency of sharing solutions between municipalities.

Explore how robotics, AI and robot-avatar technologies are transforming industries, cities and society, while accelerating innovation through collaboration between startups and public institutions. Featuring insights from Japan and Catalonia, the session will conclude with elevator pitches from three Catalan startups showcasing innovative solutions with global market potential.

Discover how plug-and-play AI and digital solutions can help create thriving, future-ready communities. This session highlights affordable, open-source innovations that empower small and medium size municipalities and cities in the Global South alike. By focusing on flexible interoperability, we will explore how cities can adopt affordable, sustainable technology, collaborate across platforms, and build resilient urban futures on their own terms.

Beyond access and literacy, this session argues for a genuine digital understanding: the ability of every citizen to navigate the digital world critically, distinguish reliable information from manipulation, and make informed, mindful choices about personal data and attention. It calls for a sustained civic commitment to building a digitally mature society and nurturing a shared digital culture.

Emerging technologies and AI-driven innovations are accelerating a new phase of urban transformation, redefining how cities operate, evolve, and interact with citizens. As innovation moves faster than ever, cities are becoming testing grounds for new models of governance, connectivity, sustainability, and urban experience. The challenge is no longer only technological adoption, but the ability to translate innovation into meaningful impact and long-term public value. This session examines how new technological solutions, powered by AI and innovation, are being applied through projects designed to improve cities and enhance urban life.

Cities are adopting more connected and intelligent systems to monitor and anticipate risks, improve coordination and strengthen their capacity to respond in real time. This session explores how technologies such as IoT sensing, predictive analytics, and integrated safety systems are helping cities detect threats earlier, improve emergency response, strengthen cybersecurity, and build greater urban resilience. As public safety becomes increasingly linked to data, connectivity, and cross-sector coordination, the discussion will examine how cities can better protect people, infrastructure, and essential services in a more complex and rapidly changing urban environment.

How real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and connected infrastructure are redefining urban safety and resilience – and the cybersecurity challenges they bring.

As cities seek to become more efficient, sustainable, and responsive, AI is emerging as a powerful tool to support better urban decision-making. City governments are integrating AI into their operations to improve forecasting, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen planning across key areas of urban management. The discussion explores how municipalities are turning data into practical action and measurable outcomes for better city governance, while also reflecting on the new opportunities AI creates for public decision-making, as well as the institutional and operational challenges involved in embedding these technologies into the structures of public administration.

How city governments are embedding AI into their operations – for prediction, resource allocation and sustainable urban development. Real deployments, real outcomes.

This panel explores how digital urban prototypes can move from one-off pilots to projects that are ready to finance, scale and deliver real impact. Led by the IDB Group, the session brings together IDB Cities LAB, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute and the City of Vitória, Brazil, to discuss how public and private capital can share risk and return, align investment with urban priorities, and turn bold ideas into deployable solutions.

Artificial intelligence is redefining the future of cities and communities. The convergence of AI, digital twins, spatial intelligence, robotics, and the AI-enabled Citiverse is creating a new generation of places that are increasingly intelligent, adaptive, and autonomous. As local and regional governments face growing challenges from housing and urban planning to climate resilience, mobility, and public service delivery, the opportunity is to harness these technologies to build more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous communities. Realizing this vision requires international interoperable standards, forward-looking governance, sustainable digital infrastructure, and global collaboration to ensure that innovation delivers lasting public value and improves quality of life for all.

AI is rapidly becoming a new operating system for cities, shaping how governments anticipate needs, design services, allocate resources and engage with citizens. As it becomes embedded in urban decision-making, cities must ask who designs these systems, who can access the opportunities they create and who benefits. From GovTech innovation to inclusive skills and accountable leadership, how can cities ensure the AI transition works for everyone?

This interview brings together Hiroshi Ishiguro and Hiroyuki Suzuki to explore how robotics, Avatar Science, and innovation are reshaping the future of society. With Ishiguro, we will discuss the profound questions at the heart of his work: What is life? What does it mean to be human? And how can technology expand human presence beyond the limits of the physical body? Suzuki will offer a complementary perspective on how Japan is preparing for these transformations through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of the Kyoto and Keihanna innovation ecosystem. Together, they will reflect on the technological, cultural, and social challenges that will shape the future of humanity.

Participants to the side event will actively engage with real and challenging cases. Starting from ongoing projects, we will share strategies, issues and approaches with peers, and translate those insights into action through a curated walkthrough of the SCEWC exhibition where specific challenges will be connected with the actual technologies and vendors on the floor.

Can Smart Cities use LLMs to increase interoperability and reduce software integration costs? Yes! The results of this hackathon show: two teams used messy data from Porto Digital, underpinning real policy challenges, to gain hands-on experience in designing deterministic agentic data pipelines. This session shares what worked, what didn't, what public-sector AI needs to be trustworthy, and how it can be scaled globally through OASC’s MIMs.

SCEWC is launching a new Call for Research Papers to continue bridging state-of-the-art AI research with the smart city ecosystem. Best & selected papers will be featured in a dedicated session. Selection criteria: CITIES, AI (of any kind), Min TRL5 (min a proof of concept done). Excluded any commercial product as main topic.

This session brings together space agencies, cities and companies from Japan and Europe to explore how satellite data can enable smarter, more livable, and well-being-oriented cities. It highlights practical use cases, key challenges, and future visions while fostering international collaboration.

While AI offers powerful opportunities to improve prevention, decision-making, and operational efficiency, it also raises important questions about transparency, accountability, data protection, and fundamental rights. This session will explore how local authorities can responsibly use AI, navigate the implications of the EU AI Act, and ensure that innovation supports democratic values and public trust.

Digital twins are transforming how cities plan and manage urban development. This session brings together cities, researchers and technology providers to explore how digital twins, Earth Observation and advanced urban analytics can support better decision-making and address urban challenges. Real-world examples will demonstrate how data-driven tools are helping cities move from pilot projects to operational deployment and measurable impact.

This session will share practical innovative smart community lessons from Australia and New Zealand, showing how cities, regions and communities are using data, technology and partnerships to respond to place-based challenges including resilience, mobility, inclusion, infrastructure, climate adaptation and community trust - including with indigenous communities.

From accessibility and public services to safety and community wellbeing, cities face challenges that directly shape people’s everyday lives. The technological revolution is opening new possibilities to respond to these needs in practical and inclusive ways. This session showcases solutions that combine innovation with a people-centred approach, exploring through real-world cases how technology can improve urban experiences and respond to diverse needs across the city.

Urban digital platforms are increasingly being used to navigate the complexity of urban environments, helping cities better understand how they function and evolve. By enabling data-driven decision-making and scenario exploration, these tools support more effective and forward-looking planning. This session explores the role of simulations within these platforms—what they can currently offer, from predictive insights to scenario testing, and what possibilities they open for the future of urban digital systems, while also examining how governments are adopting these tools in practice and the challenges involved in developing, financing, and translating them into meaningful outcomes for urban planning.

Digital twins, simulation environments and integrated city platforms are turning urban complexity into something manageable and predictable. The building blocks of tomorrow are already here.

AI capabilities continue to evolve, but so do the technical, financial, and operational constraints that shape what these systems can realistically achieve. This session takes an honest look at the current boundaries of AI, from latency and computing power to data storage, infrastructure, access to investment, and deployment constraints, while also showcasing the emerging technologies that may help overcome them. Looking beyond today’s barriers, it will offer insight into what comes next and how future advances in AI could shape the development of technologies and cities.

Mapping AI’s boundaries – and what comes next. An honest look at current constraints and the emerging technologies that could overcome them.

Digital innovation is redefining how cities and organizations address growing urban challenges, creating new models for planning, service delivery, and day-to-day operations. Technologies such as AI, digital twins, and intelligent data platforms are enabling more predictive, efficient, and data-driven ways of managing urban environments. This session will examine how these capabilities are transforming operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen urban resilience. Successfully embedding these technologies into existing systems will be critical to building more agile, responsive, and future-ready cities.