The prospects and perils of smart urban development: A review of artificial intelligence implementation in sustainable city projects

Urban areas now constitute the primary habitat for most of the global population, a demographic shift that has exacerbated longstanding urban challenges. In response, cities are increasingly turning to emerging information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) as potential solutions. This study provides a critical review of the predominant urban issues and examines their interconnection with contemporary smart city initiatives worldwide. Through an analysis of international case studies from Singapore, Spain, the Netherlands, and Copenhagen, this research aims to derive valuable insights and lessons to inform the development of scenarios for future sustainable urban models. The study highlights that while AI and smart technologies hold significant promise for advancing urban sustainability, their implementation faces considerable challenges. These include critical social implications, such as the erosion of privacy, alongside economic constraints and heterogeneous regulatory landscapes across national contexts. Furthermore, the analysis identifies Dutch smart urbanism initiatives as particularly noteworthy. Among the cases examined, the Dutch approach is distinguished by its pronounced emphasis on mitigating social issues and fostering public participation in the co-creation of future urban frameworks.