SmartCitiesWorld today launched its purpose-built platform, AI CityXchange, and a series of workshop events focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied across cities, from early experiments to large-scale embedded deployments across public services and city systems.
The launch of AI CityXchange is supported by Microsoft as a strategic partner, with Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin joining as initial workshop partners.
The city’s first AI platform
AI CityXchange brings together SmartCitiesWorld’s AI-related journalism, research, reporting, and industry insights into a single, structured destination designed for city leaders, practitioners, and partners addressing the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. The platform is distinctly city-first, with a focus on practical implementation, informed decision-making, and real-world outcomes rather than individual technologies.
Beyond digital content, AI CityXchange also extends to a program of in-person and virtual events, workshops, and city-led exchanges. These Xchange sessions are hosted in partnership with cities and are designed to be hands-on, peer-driven, and rooted in real-world challenges. In 2026, standalone workshops will be held in Sunderland in March, London in June, Dublin in September and Barcelona in November. The workshop is supported by Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin and will be 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 deployments that deliver real public value.”
This work forms part of SmartCitiesWorld’s broader Technology Innovation for Community-Centric Cities campaign, which puts people, inclusion and community impact at the heart of urban innovation. AI CityXchange builds on this foundation by considering how artificial intelligence can support better services, stronger governance, and more resilient, community-centered cities.
“AI CityXchange was created in direct response to the voice of cities,” said Chris Cooke, founder and CEO of SmartCitiesWorld. “While momentum around artificial intelligence is accelerating, many cities remain uncertain about how to move from experimentation to responsible, scalable deployments that deliver 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 any hype or one-size-fits-all assumptions.”
To reflect this, the platform is organized around two main content pillars.
- The AI Foundation Pillars focus on the building blocks that cities need to responsibly and effectively implement AI. Topics include data strategy, interoperability, ethics and governance, procurement, organizational readiness, workforce skills, trust and transparency. Content and workshops in this area are designed to help cities first understand what good is and how to create the conditions for sustainable AI use.
- The Scaling AI pillar focuses on moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept. Explore how cities can operate 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 their services and adapting their organizational models to support continuous innovation.
Beyond these pillars, AI CityXchange structures its coverage around the core functions of cities, recognizing that the deployment of AI is ultimately about people, places, and public service outcomes. Content spans people and communities. built environment and infrastructure; transport; environment and nature; economy and culture. Governance, Corporate Services and Stakeholder Partners. Within each function, we delve 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
All areas have a strong focus on applied AI. City-led case studies and practitioner insights are juxtaposed with expert analysis and industry perspectives to create a balanced view of what is working, what is emerging and where attention is needed. Rather than promoting technology in isolation, AI CityXchange examines how AI intersects with policy, finance, regulation, workforce change, and community impact.
Cook added: “This initiative brings together independent journalism, real-world case studies, peer exchanges and workshops hosted by the cities themselves, taking a city-first, practitioner-led approach. “With the support of Microsoft as a strategic partner, Bentley as a content partner, and city partners including Sunderland City Council and Smart Dublin, we are building AI CityXchange provides a trusted space for cities to learn from each other, ask difficult questions, and make more informed decisions about how AI is used for the public good.”
AI CityXchange is designed to evolve with cities and the wider smart city ecosystem, continually adjusting its coverage based on feedback from city practitioners and partners, ensuring its independent editorial approach remains relevant, trustworthy and fit for purpose.
Further announcements are expected in late February 2026, including details on the AI CityXchange Advisory Group and a number of additional initiatives related to the program.
“AI CityXchange addresses cities where they are, strengthening governance, data readiness, skills, and trust, while sharing proven patterns to deliver better services, reliable mobility, and smarter planning.”
AI CityXchange updates will be shared through the new AI CityXchange newsletter, along with a monthly editorial digest covering the development of AI for cities, from building foundational capabilities to large-scale deployment.
“Beyond the hype, cities need practical, trusted progress,” said Doug Priest, Senior Business Strategy Manager at Microsoft. “That’s why Microsoft supports SmartCitiesWorld’s AI CityXchange and works with city leaders to turn AI ambition into responsible impact. AI CityXchange We will meet cities where they are and strengthen governance, data readiness, skills, and trust, while sharing proven patterns to deliver better services, reliable mobility, and smarter planning.”
Mr Priest added: “We are excited to join with Sunderland City Council, Smart Dublin and the wider ecosystem to accelerate what works, speak up about what doesn’t and continue to focus on outcomes that are felt by the community.”
Liz St. Louis, Director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the first AI CityXchange workshop with SmartCitiesWorld. Sunderland City is actively exploring how AI can support better decision-making and improved services for residents. “By joining CityXchange, we will be able to share our experiences, learn from other cities, and help shape practical conversations about what responsible, scalable AI looks like in real-world urban contexts.”
Smart Dublin regional manager Alan Murphy said Dublin had a long-standing focus on using innovation to solve real-world challenges in the city. “And AI CityXchange is closely aligned with that approach,” Murphy says. “This platform will create valuable space in the city, and as a workshop partner, Smart Dublin looks forward to collaborating, exchanging lessons learned, and exploring how AI can be ethically applied across services while maintaining trust, transparency, and public value.”
