According to the UN, the world population will reach the 9.7 billion mark by the end of 2050. As the number increases, we will have to face challenges in order to supply all residents and people with resources and energy. At the same time, the deterioration of the environment will be avoided.
A “Smart City” is an urban area that depends on information and communication technologies in order to generate economic growth, improve the quality of life and support governance structures. For example, a local authority could interconnect its transportation and energy network systems, construct energy-efficient buildings equipped with sensors, and develop communications that enable better monitoring of health, emergency and other public services.
According to the UN, the world population will reach the 9.7 billion mark by the end of 2050. As the numbers increase, we will face challenges to provide resources and energy to all residents and people while avoiding environmental degradation. In India, the world’s fastest growing major economy and the world’s second largest population, AI can be transformative.
A combination of fast, reliable and low-latency connectivity will enable the transformation to smart cities. AI will be an important enabler for this transformation towards smart cities. The use of AI in combination with the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart cities can change lives. Cloud-based IoT applications receive, analyze and manage data in real time to help municipalities, businesses and citizens make better decisions that improve the quality of life. There are several areas in cities or urban development where AI can be used to improve performance and efficiency from the system. It has the potential to address the major challenges posed by urban overcrowding; such as traffic management, health problems and increasing energy consumption. IoT data and artificial intelligence technologies can improve the lives of citizens and businesses in a smart city.
Applications of AI in Smart Cities
A smart city has many use cases for AI-powered IoT-enabled technology, from maintaining a healthier environment to improving public transport and safety. Smart cities and artificial intelligence offer a comprehensive overview of the development of cities as intelligent ecosystems through the convergence of technologies that include machine learning. Geo-intelligence, data analysis and visualization, sensors and intelligent networked objects: the latest advances in AI bring us closer to the development of urban operating systems that simulate human, mechanical and environmental patterns from transport infrastructure to communication networks.
Intelligent traffic management: AI and IoT can implement intelligent traffic solutions to ensure that residents of a smart city get from one point to another as safely and efficiently as possible. AI-compatible traffic sensor systems can use cameras to capture real-time data from vehicles on the road and send it to a control center, which collects the data fed in from other stations and adjusts the signal times to ensure a smooth vehicle flow.
Smart Parking: Finding a parking space, especially during the holidays, is a very tedious task. With road surface sensors embedded in the ground or with CCTV cameras, intelligent parking solutions can determine whether parking spaces are free or occupied and create a real-time parking map also help to reduce traffic jams and environmental pollution.
Smart waste management: The growth of the urban population requires the introduction of smart methods for waste management. AI-enabled cameras can detect trash thrown in the street and recognize the type of trash in order to classify it. Sensors activated in garbage cans can make garbage collection more efficient. Authorities can receive notifications when the containers are about to be filled and guarantee the reduction of operating costs by eliminating unnecessary collections, dynamic collection routes and schedules to optimize waste management. Adopting AI for smart recycling and waste management can provide a sustainable waste management system.
Smart policing: Smart cities require smart policing, in which law enforcement agencies use evidence-based data-driven strategies that are effective, efficient, and inexpensive. Activated cameras and sensors can monitor the environment in order to improve the level of security in urban areas. People and their faces or following unusual activities in restricted areas.
Smart lighting: Street lighting is necessary, but it consumes a lot of energy, which can be reduced by using smart lighting; street lights can also be equipped with additional sensors or serve as access points to the WiFi network. You can also adjust the brightness according to the presence of pedestrians, cyclists or cars. It uses a real-time mesh network to activate neighboring lights and create a safe circle of light around a human resident.
Smart governance: The main reason for smart cities is to make their residents’ lives pleasant and comfortable. Therefore, the infrastructure of a smart city is not complete without smart governance. Smart governance involves the intelligent use of ICT to improve decision-making through better collaboration between different stakeholders, including government and citizens. Smart governance could use data, evidence, and other resources to improve decision-making and meet citizens’ needs.
Smart Power Grid: AI can improve the security of power grids and power management and predict demand response and load bundling. Smart grids (power networks, such as generation plants, that are embedded with computer technology) can make smart meter readings of large quantities of data to assess and predict demand response and load clustering. In these networks, predictive models can be configured to predict the price and demand of energy for certain periodic intervals.
The integration of AI in smart cities has several advantages for people and the environment. From a green environment to sustainable development, AI in smart cities brings many benefits for everyone. It’s changing the way cities operate, deliver and care for their audiences. Amenities, from lighting and transportation to connectivity and health services.
Building a Smart City is not a day-to-day business, nor is it the task of a single person or organization, but requires the cooperation of many strategic partners, executives and even citizens. The smart city building process will be an iterative process, with more processing and analysis added with each iteration. Once implemented, the benefits are considerable.
