Panel Discussion (30 Jun): Unlocking value in cities from buildings, data and AI

Explore how AI, building data and connected urban infrastructure can help cities improve sustainability, resilience and operational performance.

OnDemand Trend Report Panel Discussion: Operating smarter: using digital twins and AI to reshape urban infrastructure management

Discover how AI-powered digital twins are transforming urban infrastructure and how these innovations can improve efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

SmartCitiesWorld Summit 2026: connecting climate action, resilience and urban innovation

As cities confront the combined pressures of climate change, infrastructure resilience and digital transformation, the SmartCitiesWorld Summit 2026 will bring together urban leaders and partners during London Climate Action Week to explore how these agendas intersect – and how cities can translate strategy into practical action.

How AI cities shape Malaysia’s digital future – and the role of the region’s first Smart City ExpoSponsored by Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur

Discover how Malaysia is leading the way in AI-powered urban innovation at the first Southeast Asian Smart City Expo in Kuala Lumpur.

Smart Cities Reports

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Dublin

Find out how Dublin is innovating to improve experiences and services for its communities in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile, including digital twin projects, traffic reduction, and economic growth.

Podcasts

How cities can own their data and their future with sovereign AISponsored by PNY Technologies

Tune into the SmartCitiesWorld podcast to understand the world of sovereign AI for cities, featuring PNY Technologies’ Youssef Nadiri as our expert guest.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 32 – Flood and energy resilience in Quezon City

Tune in for the latest Urban Exchange where we get a first-hand account of city resilience measures from Quezon City following unexpected extreme rainfall.

Opinions

Transforming indoor public safety with smart sensor networksSponsored by Motorola Solutions

How smart sensor networks can help improve indoor safety by detecting risks early, improving situational awareness and supporting healthier, more secure and sustainable buildings.

How AI will define cities and mobility in 2026Sponsored by ST Engineering

Gareth Tang, President of Urban Solutions at ST Engineering, explains how urban AI applications are set to evolve, detailing projects where AI is already making significant impact.

Home | Research | Video

Interview: Building the next wave of urban connectivity

19 May 2026

Sponsored by ST Engineering

Sebastian Tan, GM of Advanced Connectivity and Head of Enterprise Communications and Digital Business at ST Engineering, reveals how a strategic focus on next‑generation connectivity since 2020 has led to an AI-driven, programmable 5G platform for the public and private sectors.

In this interview, Sebastian Tan, General Manager of Advanced Connectivity and Head of Enterprise Communications and Digital Business at ST Engineering, shares how the company has spent the last several years building the next generation of connectivity solutions. He outlines their journey from a strategic decision made in 2020 to invest in advanced connectivity, through to the creation of an AI-driven, programmable 5G system and an ecosystem of technology and business partners. Tan explains how this enables not only improves connectivity, but also acts as a foundation for new applications and services that can transform both public sector operations and commercial use cases.

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How does an AI-driven programmable 5G platform improve urban connectivity?How can 5G and edge computing enable real-time public sector services?How might IoT sensors enhance city resilience and emergency response?How can AI and machine learning optimize network programmability and performance?How does collaboration with technology partners accelerate inclusive citizen engagement?

Latest City Profile

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Smart Cities Reports

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

Latest Summit Speakers
(22-26 June)

Lord Marvin Rees OBE

Former Mayor

Bristol City Council

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Julie Foley OBE

Director of Flood Risk Strategy & Adaptation

Environment Agency

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Sherelle Fairweather

Digital Strategy Lead

Manchester’s Digital Strategy

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Jaromir Beranek

Deputy Mayor for Transport

City of Prague

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Liz St Louis

Smart City Director

Sunderland City Council

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Cllr Susan Aitken

Leader

Glasgow City Council

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Mark Wheeler

CIO

Montgomery County

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John Moran

Mayor

Limerick City and County Council

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Matjaž Rakovec

Mayor

City of Kranj

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Erin Mendenhall

Mayor

Salt Lake City

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Julia King

The Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS

House of Lords

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