SmartCitiesWorld launches AI CityXchange to support cities at every stage of AI adoption

SmartCitiesWorld has today launched AI CityXchange, a dedicated platform and series of workshop events focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied across cities – from early experimentation to large-scale, embedded deployment across public services and urban systems.

The launch of AI CityXchange is supported by Microsoft as a strategic partner, with Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin joining as the first workshop partners.

City-first AI platform

AI CityXchange brings together SmartCitiesWorld’s AI-related journalism, research, reports, and industry insight into a single, structured destination designed for city leaders, practitioners, and partners navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. The platform is explicitly city-first, with a focus on practical implementation, informed decision-making, and real-world outcomes rather than technology in isolation.

AI CityXchange also extends beyond digital content into a programme of in-person and virtual events, workshops, and city-led exchanges. These Xchange sessions are hosted in partnership with cities and designed to be practical, peer-driven, and rooted in real challenges. In 2026, standalone workshops will take place in Sunderland in March, London in June, Dublin in September, and Barcelona in November. The workshops are supported by Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin, and held at SmartCitiesWorld Summit in London and Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.

“While momentum around AI is accelerating, many cities remain uncertain about how to move from experimentation to responsible, scalable deployment that delivers real public value”

The initiative forms part of SmartCitiesWorld’s wider Technology Innovation for Community-Centric Cities campaign, which places people, inclusion, and community impact at the heart of urban innovation. AI CityXchange builds on this foundation by examining how artificial intelligence can support improved services, stronger governance, and more resilient, community-centric cities.

“AI CityXchange has been created in direct response to what cities are telling us,” said Chris Cooke, founder & CEO, SmartCitiesWorld. “While momentum around artificial intelligence is accelerating, many cities remain uncertain about how to move from experimentation to responsible, scalable deployment that delivers real public value. Cities are at very different stages in their AI journeys, from building foundations around data, governance, skills, and trust, to embedding AI across core services and systems. AI CityXchange is designed to support this full spectrum without hype or one-size-fits-all assumptions.”

To reflect this, the platform is organised around two primary content pillars.

• The AI Foundations pillar focuses on the building blocks cities need to deploy AI responsibly and effectively. Topics include data strategy, interoperability, ethics and governance, procurement, organisational readiness, workforce skills, and trust and transparency. Content and workshops in this area are designed to help cities understand what good looks like at the outset and how to create the conditions for sustainable AI use.
• The Scaling AI pillar centres on moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept. It explores how cities operationalise AI at scale, integrate it into core processes, measure impact, manage risk, and secure long-term value. This pillar highlights lessons learned from cities that are embedding AI across services and adapting organisational models to support continuous innovation.

Beyond these pillars, AI CityXchange structures its coverage around the core functions of a city, recognising that AI adoption is ultimately about outcomes for people, places, and public services. Content spans people and community; built environment and infrastructure; transport; environment and nature; economy and culture; and governance, corporate services, and stakeholder partners. Within each function, coverage drills down into specific services and challenges, from public safety and social services to buildings and energy systems, traffic management and mobility, climate action and environmental monitoring, skills development, economic growth, and partnership and procurement models.

How AI intersects with city functions

Across all areas, the emphasis is on applied AI. City-led case studies and practitioner insight sit alongside expert analysis and industry perspectives, creating a balanced view of what is working, what is emerging, and where caution is required. AI CityXchange examines how AI intersects with policy, finance, regulation, workforce change, and community impact, rather than promoting technology in isolation.

Cooke added: “The initiative takes a city-first, practitioner-led approach, bringing together independent journalism, real-world case studies, peer exchange, and workshops hosted with cities themselves. With the support of Microsoft as strategic partner, Bentley as content partner, and city partners including Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin, AI CityXchange provides a trusted space for cities to learn from one another, ask difficult questions, and make better-informed decisions about how AI is used in the public interest.”

Designed to evolve alongside cities and the wider smart city ecosystem, AI CityXchange will continuously adapt its coverage based on feedback from city practitioners and partners, ensuring its independent editorial approach remains relevant, trusted, and fit for purpose.

Further announcements, including details of the AI CityXchange Advisory Group and a number of additional initiatives linked to the programme, are set for later in February 2026.

“AI CityXchange meets cities where they are, strengthening governance, data readiness, skills, and trust, while also sharing proven patterns to deliver better services, reliable mobility, and smarter planning”

Updates on AI CityXchange, along with a monthly editorial digest covering developments in AI for cities, from foundational capability building through to large-scale deployment, will be shared via the new AI CityXchange newsletter.

Doug Priest, senior business strategy manager at Microsoft, said: “Beyond the hype, cities need practical, trusted progress. That’s why Microsoft supports SmartCitiesWorld’s AI CityXchange and works with city leaders to turn AI ambition into responsible impact. AI CityXchange meets cities where they are, strengthening governance, data readiness, skills, and trust, while also sharing proven patterns to deliver better services, reliable mobility, and smarter planning.

Priest added: “We’re excited to participate alongside Sunderland City Council, Smart Dublin, and the wider ecosystem, accelerating what works, being candid about what doesn’t, and staying focused on outcomes communities can feel.”

Liz St Louis, director for Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the first AI CityXchange workshop with SmartCitiesWorld. Sunderland is actively exploring how AI can support better decision-making and improved services for our residents. Being part of AI CityXchange allows us to share our experience, learn from other cities, and help shape a practical conversation about what responsible, scalable AI looks like in a real city context.”

Alan Murphy, regional manager for Smart Dublin, said Dublin has long focused on using innovation to solve real urban challenges. “And AI CityXchange aligns closely with that approach,” said Murphy. “The platform creates valuable space for cities, and as a workshop partner, Smart Dublin is looking forward to collaborating, exchanging lessons learnt, and exploring how AI can be applied ethically across services while maintaining trust, transparency, and public value.”