The future of our towns and cities is being shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT contractors are uniquely positioned to seize this burgeoning opportunity. With the rise of AI-powered smart cities, contractors are not only contributing to groundbreaking projects and apps but also commanding lucrative contracts.
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A recent report by S&P Global, “The Rise of AI-Powered Smart Cities,” highlights the transformative potential of AI in urban environments. From optimising traffic flow and reducing energy consumption to enhancing public safety and improving healthcare access, AI is revolutionising how cities function. This revolution is creating a wealth of opportunities for IT contractors who can develop and even pitch innovative solutions as technology developers.
According to 451 Research’s Voice of the Enterprise: Internet of Things, the OT Perspective, Use Cases and Outcomes 2023, 50% of government respondents selected ensuring public safety as the main driver for their smart city initiatives, followed by improving overall quality of life (44%) and improving city services (42%). Knowing these areas of demand is a good place for contractors to start. Looking to existing examples can’t hurt either.
Estonia, for example, has established a model for a digital society, enabled by government services that support nearly all aspects of daily life from schooling to banking and telehealth. Under the country’s AI strategy for digital services, the S&P Global report stated that AI is supporting Bürokratt government services chatbots, AI-driven tax fraud detection, computer vision in resource monitoring, automatic translation and subtitling for government events, and other use cases.
Key Skills for Smart City Development
The S&P Global report emphasises the need for expertise in areas such as:
Data Science and Analytics: Analysing vast datasets generated by smart city sensors and devices to extract actionable insights.
Machine Learning (ML): Developing algorithms that enable systems to learn and adapt, crucial for tasks like traffic prediction and anomaly detection.
Internet of Things (IoT): Connecting and managing the network of devices that form the backbone of a smart city.
Cloud Computing: Leveraging cloud platforms for data storage, processing, and application deployment.
Cybersecurity: Implementing robust security measures to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
Job Opportunities in AI-Powered Cities
The demand for these skills is set to rise as cities invest in AI-driven infrastructure. IT contractors can expect to find opportunities in:
Smart Mobility: Developing AI-powered traffic management systems, autonomous vehicle infrastructure, and smart parking solutions.
Environmental Sustainability: Creating AI-driven systems for energy optimisation, waste management, and pollution monitoring.
Public Safety: Implementing AI-powered surveillance systems, crime prediction tools, and emergency response platforms.
E-Governance: Developing AI-powered citizen services, data analytics platforms for urban planning, and smart city management dashboards.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure
As cities become increasingly reliant on AI and interconnected systems, the need for robust cybersecurity becomes paramount. IT contractors with expertise in areas like network security, ethical hacking, and data privacy will be crucial in safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and ensuring the smooth functioning of smart city systems.
Call to Action for IT Contractors
According to the report, some cities may have a smart city director or manager, others may work with a corporate partner to spur projects. Now is the time for specialist freelancers to proactively develop and pitch smart city concepts to these managers and companies. Start locally to work towards regional and national projects.
Toptal for example has freelancers with experience in smart cities. Check out the following profiles:
Worked on the NEOM Smart City, a planned tourist destination in Saudi Arabia that will use smart city technologies. Ureche created roadmaps and product visions to support the development of the city.
Designed and delivered sustainable smart-city networks for the Indian market. Vittecoq used technologies like Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), Java, and 802.11S Mesh Networking.
Developed a mobile app that used WiFi signals to track location inside buildings. Yücel also researched smart city infrastructures like Living Labs and Fab Labs.
