Contributions and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Building Smarter Cities: Insights from a Systematic Review of the Literature

Tan Yigitcanlar, Kevin C. Desouza, Luke Butler and Farnoosh Roozkhosh
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Tan Yigitcanlar: School of Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Kevin C. Desouza: QUT Business School, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Luke Butler: School of Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Farnoosh Roozkhosh: School of Arts and Architecture, Guilan University, Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht 41998-43653, Guilan, Iran

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-38

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most disruptive technologies of our time. Interest in the use of AI for urban innovation continues to grow. Particularly, the rise of smart cities—urban locations that are enabled by community, technology, and policy to deliver productivity, innovation, livability, wellbeing, sustainability, accessibility, good governance, and good planning—has increased the demand for AI-enabled innovations. There is, nevertheless, no scholarly work that provides a comprehensive review on the topic. This paper generates insights into how AI can contribute to the development of smarter cities. A systematic review of the literature is selected as the methodologic approach. Results are categorized under the main smart city development dimensions, i.e., economy, society, environment, and governance. The findings of the systematic review containing 93 articles disclose that: (a) AI in the context of smart cities is an emerging field of research and practice. (b) The central focus of the literature is on AI technologies, algorithms, and their current and prospective applications. (c) AI applications in the context of smart cities mainly concentrate on business efficiency, data analytics, education, energy, environmental sustainability, health, land use, security, transport, and urban management areas. (d) There is limited scholarly research investigating the risks of wider AI utilization. (e) Upcoming disruptions of AI in cities and societies have not been adequately examined. Current and potential contributions of AI to the development of smarter cities are outlined in this paper to inform scholars of prospective areas for further research.

Keywords: artificial intelligence (AI); AI technologies; AI algorithms; disruptive technology; smart city; smart urban technology; urban informatics; sustainable urban development; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (52)

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