AI & Cities – Shaping the Future of Urban Governance Together
Cities who lead the AI transition
practical lessons, tested tools and human centric innovation at the core
Why AI Matters for Cities
Cities are emerging as the frontlines of artificial intelligence. From climate resilience and urban mobility to citizen services and public safety, AI is reshaping how urban leaders envision, design, and manage the future. In an era defined by complex challenges like aging infrastructure, population shifts, rising inequality, and climate volatility, cities need more than incremental change. They need bold, intelligent solutions that put people at the center and turn data into decisive action.
In Europe, local governments are already deploying AI for predictive maintenance, smarter mobility, public safety, and climate resilience.
This page curates practical, scalable AI applications designed specifically for cities. Whether you’re starting from a pilot or scaling an established project, here’s where to find inspiration, tools, and policy frameworks aligned with EU priorities like the AI Act and Digital Europe Programme.
By 2030, AI is expected to boost city operational efficiency by up to 30% and cut service response times by 50%.
McKinsey Global Institute, “AI and the Future of Cities,”
72% of Europeans believe AI can improve public services , yet only 18% of cities have an AI strategy.
European Commission, 2024 – “AI Watch: Cities and Public Services”
Two-thirds of Europeans live in small and mid-sized cities, yet 80% of EU AI investments target capitals.
Eurostat & EU Smart Cities Marketplace
Best Practices Library
Case Studies from European Cities
Explore real-world examples of how cities are using AI to tackle urban challenges and improve service delivery
Copenhagen
Innovation Corner
Solutions from Europe’s AI Innovators
Featured city-focused AI solutions from tech industry leaders, startups, research labs, and public–private synergies
Tools & Resources for Cities
Tools, Frameworks & Funding
Navigating the EU AI Act: What it means for your city
Open-source AI: List of municipal-ready tools
Funding Radar: Active EU grant programs & deadlines
Horizon Europe Calls, Digital Europe Programme, National and Regional Instruments
How sustainable AI transforms cities: Key priorities, Chalenges, and Long-term impact
The Era of How: NVIDIA’s Charbel Aoun on Enabling Cities to Build Their Own AI Capability
by Svetlana Tesic, CoFounder Mayors of Europe AI empowering cities is no longer news. It is here to stay, embedded in the systems that move people, power buildings, and shape everyday life. The real question facing local governments today is no longer if they...
AI & the City: Smart Governance for the Future
By Svetlana Tesic, Cofounder of Alliance of European Mayors We have moved far beyond the question of whether local governments will adopt AI. Cities worldwide already stand as primary engines of AI-enabled governance. From mobility and energy to public services and...
Cities2gether: Turning Global Policy Knowledge Into Local Action
Around the world, mayors and city leaders face a paradox: they are expected to solve 21st-century problems using tools designed for the 20th. Congestion, climate adaptation, air quality, waste management, migration flows, and the growing housing crisis are no longer...
Barcelona’s AI-Driven Mobility Transformation
Barcelona uses AI to optimise traffic, reduce emissions, improve public transport reliability, and increase energy efficiency across mobility infrastructure. With strong university partnerships and iterative deployment, the city shows how AI can deliver practical...
Tools & Resources for Cities
Tools, Frameworks & Funding
Join our community and share your story, whether a pilot or a full-scale deployment and help inspire other cities