IoT is the technology that enables a full spectrum of digitization that helps smart cities be smart. It includes the connection of devices to the internet, allowing them to send information to the cloud and potentially receive directions for performing actions. IoT involves collecting, and analyzing data to extract information from to help support decision making and policy (Syed et al, 2021).

Data is collected in large quantities in cities (ex. police reports, weather reports, taxes etc.) but in this raw form it is more information than the average person can digest. This is where AI plays a role. AI can take large amounts of data from various sources. allowing for the discovery of insights that can be used to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal operations while reducing associated expenses. 

Click here for some examples of where AI could be used in Smart Cities

The smart city is an interconnected network of devices that gather, store, share and communicate data, That data is an important source of information to design resource-efficient and livable cities for people. To make sense of all the data coming from disparate sources: geospatial data, traffic data, foot traffic data, number of vehicles, crime statistics, etc. we need data analytics. Through complex algorithms, city stakeholders can draw connections across disparate sources to reveal useful information.