Smart Cities: Planning for the Coming Transformation

There is one thing I’m certain of—we all want more time, more capacity, and better information to make smarter decisions about the resources we have. Over the next 30 years, some 2.5 billion people will move to cities. Africa leads the way with all ten of the world's fastest growing cities within its borders. It's no surprise that this kind of unprecedented growth puts intense stress on people and systems, from jobs and housing to transportation and sanitation. Of course, humans have been solving these issues for a long time. But what makes today's urban migration a uniquely modern challenge is the number of people involved. Fortunately, we have a modern solution: AI and Cloud computing have opened up a new world of smart city technology that gives us the data and tools to use energy and food more efficiently, improve levels of safety and health, and increase the responsiveness of governments to serve citizens more effectively.

We want early trials to move us forward to new and better ways of doing our work. We want people to feel comfortable placing their trust in new technologies and to know that the data will be secure and used in service for the common good. For example:

• What if a city could suddenly resolve road repairs in a day instead of a month? As part of Microsoft's CityNext, Johannesburg Roads Agency experienced such a change with an app that enabled dramatic improvements in both citizen satisfaction and driving conditions.
• What if AI could be used in cities to protect a population’s health? In November, Smart City Expo 2019 will do just that – it will bring people together to talk about how data and intelligent technology can help control pollution, safeguard resources, and protect people's health, all while creating safe, healthier cities.
• What if AI could be used in malls to boost productivity? In Dubai, by the end of March, the city's first integrated smart city project will transform an area spanning over 140,000 square miles of office, commercial and residential space into a technology hub serving and improving experiences between citizens and businesses.

These are just a few examples of challenges cities are experiencing, that could be improved with AI. The momentum behind this technology continues to grow. Based on current activity, cloud and AI adoption trends in the region are predicted to increase the GDP by approximately 12 percent over the next 10 years. Investments in smart cities are projected to reach $158B by 2022, led by Riyadh and Dubai.

To ensure we’re prepared for the future of smart cities, infrastructure will make all the difference. All those committed to a new vision for the future make advancement possible. For our part, Microsoft has two new data centers planned in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and two new datacenters now open in Africa, increasing digital transformation opportunities across the African continent. Also in South Africa, Microsoft has committed millions of dollars to an Equity Equivalent Investment Program focused on infrastructure development and empowerment efforts that align with key government priorities in areas such as agriculture and manufacturing. A recently announced collaboration between Microsoft and Telecom Egypt will provide critical cloud capacity and connectivity within a larger global infrastructure.

These kinds of investments have far-reaching and lasting impacts. Because smart city projects require expertise and partnerships across many sectors, the opportunities and benefits become compounded. Projects in city centers with many stakeholders highlight the need for human-centered ethical approaches and smart policy that facilitates solutions that benefit the most people. New technology also brings economic gain, like employment opportunities. According to the IDC, we're in the midst of the creation of more than half a million jobs in MEA due to cloud computing and Microsoft ecosystems. And, according to the World Bank, for every technology job created, 4.3 additional jobs are generated. This multiplier effect extends to the responsive technology we're creating. When we create efficiencies, like the virtual assistant that serves customers at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, we free up human capacity to make cities even better.

Speaking at the World Government Summit in February (via 3D hologram), the Crown Prince of Dubai talked about new city designs that aim to achieve a better standard of life by reducing transportation time with projects like Hyperloop. He mentioned how critical access is to happiness, from mobility to the way we use resources. Most importantly, he talked about the importance of putting human beings at the center while valuing innovation, talent and cooperation. From sustainability to safety, what this technology will enable us to accomplish depends on who has a seat at the planning table. Microsoft in particular wants this technology to reach and serve everyone.

That kind of access relies on educating people and building skills for the future. With efforts like Code.org, upskilling over half a million young people, or partnerships with One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Foundation, and MADRASA, we can ensure that a population made up of nearly 30 percent young people, diverse digital natives, are adequately prepared to help shape their cities into what they need and want. With careful ethical planning, policy solutions, technology investments and collaboration between the public and private sector, this up-and-coming generation will co-create future solutions to existing problems, cultivating a way of life we’re only just beginning to imagine.