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Survey: Technologies application domains in cities (summer 2024)

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Workshop: Designing accessible and sustainable services by leveraging data and AI applications – Rome 29-30 November 2024

In 2024, Major Cities of Europe (MCE) has launched on a forward-looking initiative to examine how technologies are reshaping urban landscapes. The survey titled “Technologies Application Domains and Challenges for the Cities of the Future” provided valuable insights into key priorities and challenges faced by cities today.

Building on these insights, MCE organized a workshop titled “Designing Accessible and Sustainable Services by Leveraging Data and AI Applications” in Rome, supported by Huawei. This event created a unique platform for dialogue and collaboration among MCE members and experts, aiming to unlock the potential of data and AI in designing innovative public services.

Below are the reports and handouts of the Survey and of the Workshop

Survey Report: “Technologies application domains and challenges for the cities of the future”

Scope of the Survey: the  survey examines the technologies, methodologies and application domains being implemented and investigates the challenges, opportunities and issues that need to be addressed to move towards the cities of the future. The survey also helps understanding better the role that MCE can play in this scenario together with ICT and solutions providers.

Main areas investigated:

  • Stakeholders’ needs and priorities
  • Priorities in the acquisition of technologies and application domain development
  • Sustainability and green transition
  • Investments and sources of finance

Workshop Report: “Designing accessible and sustainable services by leveraging data and AI applications”

The workshop was organised in Rome by Major Cities of Europe  on 29-30/11, 2024 with the support of Huawei.

The main objective of the workshop was to initiate a constructive dialogue on the development of innovative public services, leveraging the potential of data and AI tools.

The workshop participants included MCE members and Huawei managers: the composition of the workshop group, enriched by a wide range of skills and experience, fostered a stimulating discussion characterized by different perspectives and a broad exchange of ideas.

In the first day several presentations were discussed, while the second day was dedicated to group activity.

Participants

  • Alessandra de Seneen, General Institute of Rural Sociology (INSOR)/ Major Cities of Europe (MCE)
  • Andrew Campbell Watson, Huawei
  • Duan Zhijie (Bill), Huawei
  • Elena Palmisano, PIN – Polo Universitario “Città di Prato” & Major Cities of Europe (MCE)
  • Gianluca Misuraca, Founder and Vice President for Technological Diplomacy and International
  • Relations of Inspiring Future, Founding Executive Director of AI4Gov, Politecnico di Milano and
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  • Giorgio Prister, Major Cities of Europe
  • Hervé Groléas, Lyon Metropolis (France)
  • Leonardo Bertini, Concreta-Mente
  • Lorenzo Bandelli, Municipality of Trieste (Italy)
  • Luca Cipriani, Region Tuscany (Italy)
  • Małgorzata Pawłowicz, Huawei
  • Paolo Boscolo, Municipality of Prato (Itay)
  • Stephan Klein, Governikus (Germany) & Major Cities of Europe
  • Thomas Edde, IntelligentCity Systems Ltd., Slovakia
  • Vincenzo Strangis, Huawei
  • Wangchao (Jeffrey), Huawei
  • Yasmine Hajji, Socitm – Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (UK)
  • Yuan Chao (Joe), Huawei

Presentations

  1. Presentation of the main results from the MCE survey – Elena Palmisano illustrated the main
    findings from the survey launched by MCE among its city members, regarding digital innovation
    and technology developments in the field of Smart City, sustainability and green transition. The
    survey results show a strong interest by MCE members in AI applications and this was the reason
    for the organisation of the workshop on such topic.
  2. Keynote on “Mastering AI in the public sector: exploring the governance of, with and by AI” –
    Gianluca Misuraca presented some key issues related with the application of AI solutions inside
    the public administration: exploring the future of Digital Governance, assessing the use of AI in
    public services in the EU, governing AI in the public sector, accelerating AI adoption and data-driven
    governance.
  3. Presentation by Huawei and partners – Małgorzata Pawłowicz and Andrew Campbell Watson
    made a presentation on “Digitization for data processing by local governments”, reporting on
    Huawei ecosystem of partners and associations supporting local governments, top industry ICT
    products for data processing and evaluation of data analysis processes. Thomas Edde made a
    presentation on “Smart City solution supported with AI / Financial model for local government
    digital initiatives”, reporting on smart city solutions packages with AI applications support and
    financing solutions for implementation. Vincenzo Strangis made a presentation on “AI for city data
    processing in Sardinia, Italy    ”, reporting on the planning and implementation of a Smart City project
    in the region of Sardinia with AI support for data processing and benefits for the customer.