Smart cities are also intelligent cities

When we think smart cities, we often imagine a future when technology takes over and makes our lives easier. Why imagine when it’s already here in the UAE? Perhaps, many of us don’t notice the difference. The high-tech era is booming and is spreading to every sphere of our lives. Human imagination has taken flight with modern automation that eschews or negates intervention from people. Experts are calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Developments in this space have been sweeping, covering most sectors, and have touched more lives when compared to past machine-driven revolutions that have taken several decades to deliver results for the common man and woman. Cities have evolved and are giving people creative space and freedom, and in many cases freeing up time for leisurely pursuits.

In the Middle East, Dubai has been at the forefront of ushering in these changes. The digital revolution began a decade ago in the UAE. What we are witnessing now is a smart transformation. What’s interesting is that the government is leading the charge. It is the key driver of these changes and in many cases has moved quicker than the private sector. Electronic transactions have brought the government closer to the people. There are fewer middlemen, corruption is negligible, and the revenue goes for development and welfare projects with minimum pilferage. Diversification is gaining traction. In fact, it is the only way to go to revive the spirit of the youth who seek fulfilling careers (not mere jobs) and demand inclusive growth. The government is in the thick of things for all things smart. Targets for each department have been set and the leadership is monitoring performance. Indeed, smart policy has brought with it tech leaps. Every day has a life-changing device or application that is spearheaded by a department. Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology are expected to change the way countries and societies work, play, consume and create. In the midst of these changes, it is vital for governments to frame the rules for the safe use of new technologies. Smart cities and countries need more human intelligence, not less.