AI has become remarkably good at synthesizing what we already know. Whether it can identify what we don't is a much harder question—one that Charan Kukunoor spends most of his time trying to answer. Charan’s work on making cities more intelligent, focuses on three problems that look unrelated but aren't. Cities cannot see what lies beneath their own streets. Language models cannot see the edges of their own knowledge. Citizens cannot see how the governments they fund actually make decisions. Each has an opacity problem. Each becomes tractable the moment you can measure what you don't know. Charan came to AI research the long way round: urban planning fieldwork on Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh's greenfield capital city, and then with UN-Habitat, before earning a PhD at NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress, where he studied 3D Bayesian deep learning for underground space. He is now a postdoctoral fellow at the BCG X AI Science Institute. The following conversation explores how AI can move from a retrieval tool to a genuine engine of innovation and civic accountability. The implications are broad, from how cities manage underground infrastructure and how self-driving vehicles integrate into mixed urban traffic to how AI might eventually make the machinery of government visible and trustworthy. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Your research at NYU focused on something most people don't think about: underground urban infrastructure. What problem were you trying to solve, and how did AI change how you might have otherwise tried to solve it? Most cities, including New York, don't have comprehensive maps of what's beneath their streets. Water mains, fiber cables, gas lines, subway tunnels... they've been built up over decades by different agencies using different systems, and no one has a single coherent picture of where they all are
Aug 31, 2026 · via bcg.com
- | Mobily Be the future: How Mobily’s first 20 years continue to support Saudi Arabia’s digital aspirations Mobily’s CEO Eng. Nezar Banabeela looks back on how the company is building on its customer-centric heritage, evolving into a technology, media and telecommunications player, and honoring its role as a digital infrastructure partner supporting the achievement of the kingdom’s digital aspirations. It is Monday morning, about 9am, in Riyadh, and Eng. Nezar Banabeela, the CEO of Mobily, sits down to reflect on what makes this moment so significant. It marks two decades of Mobily’s existence. He looks out the window and sees a foggy blur. There is a sandstorm, and he says it will pass. “No one who stopped for the right weather conditions ever gained much.” In leadership, there are no crystal balls that can prepare one for what the future holds. Yet there is insight that can help enterprises navigate a storm or make the most of an opportunity. “The boldest bet was building ahead of demand,” he says. Recalling the company’s early days, he says, “Our license required us to reach seven cities in our first year. We launched in May 2005 with coverage in 32 cities. Then a year later we brought 3G mobile broadband to the kingdom.” Nobody was asking for mobile broadband at this scale in 2006, but Mobily built it anyway. “We believed connected people would create the demand. And they did,” he says. It is this pre-emptive boldness that continues to steer the organization across every vertical. “The same conviction guides us today,” he says. While building the infrastructure was crucial to establishing a solid foundation, the plan was never to stop there. “The network was never the end game. It was the foundation for what people could do with it. The same
Aug 31, 2026 · via fastcompanyme.com
Cities across the world have spent years making themselves smarter – but have they become any more intelligent? Despite installing sensors galore, building command centers, creating digital twins and adding AI into the mix, more data has yet to evolve into more wisdom. More information alone is not the key to smarter cities, with many still struggling with the same basic question: what should we do next? That is the gap cognitive cities were meant to close. Smart cities sense what is happening. Cognitive cities should understand why, anticipate what comes next and coordinate a response. Yet many remain caught between those states: technology can surface a problem faster than institutions, data and decision processes can resolve it. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), that gap matters especially. Cities face rapidly changing pressures on trade routes, supply chains, energy systems, infrastructure and public services. Resilience requires them to reallocate resources, adjust capacity and maintain service continuity as conditions change. The problem is not a shortage of technology. Too much smart-city investment still starts with what can be connected rather than what needs to be decided. A traffic sensor can show congestion rising, a dashboard can show where and AI can predict what may happen next. None of that is enough if the city cannot decide whether to reroute traffic or change signal timings – or trust the data behind that decision. To move from ambition to impact, cities need two capabilities in parallel: a clear cognitive vision focused on the outcomes and decisions that matter most, and an urban data production system that turns fragmented data into trusted, reusable decision-grade products. Both need clear standards, enforceable governance and fit-for-purpose technology. If cognitive cities are to deliver on their promise, the thinking needs to change. It’s time to stop starting with
Aug 31, 2026 · via strategyand.pwc.com
BAC NINH: Bac Ninh, a northern province on the outskirts of Hanoi, has set a goal of ranking among the world's top 50 smart cities by 2030, an ambition officials say is central to its broader push to become a centrally governed municipality. Provincial chairman Pham Hoang Son said the smart-city drive would rely on data and digital transformation as its foundation, with residents placed at the centre. The province aims to be listed in recognised global indices such as the IMD Smart City Index, he said. By 2030, Bac Ninh plans to have a provincial coordination mechanism and a data-driven urban governance model fully in place, along with real-time monitoring and management systems operating both province-wide and in key urban centres. Smart-city planning will be woven into all levels of urban development, with officials working toward a City Information Model that can eventually feed into a full digital twin of the province. Health care, environmental management, water and waste services, and transportation are listed as priority areas, alongside investment in telecommunications, cloud and data-centre capacity, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The province is also drafting a formal ICT architecture for smart-city development, aligned with national standards, and rules for a regulatory sandbox that would let companies trial new technologies under controlled conditions – part of an effort to foster innovation while keeping data security requirements built into projects from the design stage. Officials have grouped the effort into four workstreams. The first sets up a provincial coordination council and a smart-city master plan running from the province down to the commune level. A densely populated area of Bac Giang Ward, Bac Ninh Province. The second builds the ICT architecture. The third upgrades technical infrastructure such as smart transport, lighting and water systems. The fourth rolls out smart
Aug 31, 2026 · via thestar.com.my
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is rapidly urbanising. It faces compounding vulnerabilities including extreme heat, water scarcity, geopolitical instability, and infrastructural and demographic pressures. Cities remain at the forefront of these converging challenges, tasked with conceptualising systems that ensure that infrastructure design, public services, and governance remain modern and locally rooted, to enforce circularity, resilience, and liveability for years to come. Forging Pathways for Urban Resilience in the MENA Region convenes diverse perspectives from scholars, practitioners, and city leaders to unpack the structural, technological, and institutional mechanisms required to navigate this transition. Across 11 essays, the authors present compelling frameworks on how to leverage human-centred planning approaches, large-scale infrastructure pursuits, nature-based solutions, circular water systems, and clean transport networks alongside coordinated governance to safeguard sustainable urban transformation. The report also highlights how, despite increasing global emphasis on adopting technological innovation, inclusive and integrated governance remains necessary. The contributors underline the importance of simultaneously retaining traditional knowledge systems, encouraging enhanced vertical and horizontal coordination, and enforcing South–South learning exchanges to scale actionable solutions across the region. Sukaina Abdul Ilah Al-Nasrawi sets the stage, underscoring how cities represent microcosms of humanity. Building liveable cities requires paying close attention to the preservation of human dignity and social equity. She argues for the development of a new urban planning paradigm that encompasses integrated planning, human-centred digital approaches, and economic resilience, all of which address the region’s rapid urbanisation, high youth unemployment, displacement, and fragile infrastructure. As countries within the region increasingly pursue mega-development, Mannat Jaspal and Leigh Mante interrogate the risks associated with such ambitious endeavours. Evaluating both the rationale and realities of mega-projects, they call for national-subnational governance coordination and financial and environmental guardrails to prevent cost overruns and socio-environmental damage. Victoria Lee offers a complementary perspective on mega-events, demonstrating
Aug 31, 2026 · via orfonline.org
Beyond a collection of green-certified buildings, TRX has been master-planned as an integrated sustainable financial district, where governance, infrastructure, mobility, nature and digital technologies work collectively to create a resilient, connected and people-centred urban environment. Sustainability at Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) is not just a promise — it is built into the district’s DNA. From the way it is planned and developed, to how it is operated every day, TRX is designed to balance high-performing business with greener spaces, smarter resource use and a better experience for everyone who works, lives and spends time here. Set across more than 70 acres in Kuala Lumpur’s new Golden Triangle, TRX shows what an international financial centre can look like when sustainability and people come first: real green infrastructure, lively public spaces, seamless connectivity and future-ready buildings. Through coordinated district-wide planning and management, TRX supports Malaysia’s sustainability and climate ambitions while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). TRX adopts a district-wide approach where sustainability is embedded across planning, governance, infrastructure and operations from the outset. By viewing the district as a single, interconnected ecosystem, TRX coordinates how buildings, public spaces, utilities and environmental resources function together. This integrated model optimises resource use, reduces infrastructure duplication, improves operational efficiency and supports smarter, long-term decision-making. This integrated, functional approach is further reinforced by TRX’s growing sustainability credentials, including winning Project of the Year and Low Carbon Landscape Awards at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2026, and recognition by Australian Institue of Landscape Architects National Landscape Architecture Awards under the international category. At TRX, sustainable mobility is embedded into the district’s design, integrating public
Aug 31, 2026 · via theedgemarkets.com
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Aug 30, 2026 · via guardian.ng
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed an artificial intelligence tool capable of generating plausible extreme weather scenarios without being trained on historical examples of similar disasters. The tool was developed by mechanical engineering graduate student Kai Chang and Professor Themis Sapsis. It creates maps of events that have never been recorded in a particular region but remain statistically possible. Each map includes estimates of the event’s potential intensity, duration and geographical reach. Modelling Extreme Events With No Historical Precedent Sapsis holds the William I. Koch Professorship in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering at MIT. Both researchers are affiliated with the MIT Center for Computational Science and Engineering, while Sapsis also holds an appointment with the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. The researchers presented their method, called Extreme Event Aware or η-learning, in a paper published in Nature Communications on August 20. Conventional risk models generally rely on datasets containing previous examples of extreme events. Insurers, urban planners and electricity-grid operators use these models to estimate what a once-in-a-century storm could look like in a specific location. Such systems typically identify the conditions that produced earlier disasters and then project comparable patterns into the future. According to the researchers, this limits their ability to model events more severe than anything included in the historical record. The new approach instead seeks to estimate the possible scale and impact of rare disasters that have never occurred before. Combining Statistical Indicators With Spatial Data The algorithm uses two main types of information. The first consists of point statistics that describe how frequently a particular level of intensity occurs in a dataset, such as the maximum rainfall recorded anywhere on a map. The second consists of spatial maps showing how the effects of an event vary across different locations. By learning
Aug 30, 2026 · via entarabi.com
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Aug 30, 2026 · via koreabizwire.com
Why It Matters A Congressional Research Service analysis of TikTok's restructuring highlights persistent congressional questions about PRC ties and influence despite the platform's shift to majority-U.S. ownership. TikTok serves 82 million daily active U.S. users, making it a significant platform for data collection and potential influence. The divestiture framework approved by President Donald Trump left ByteDance retaining a 19.9% stake in the joint venture. ByteDance also continues to own the underlying intellectual property for TikTok's algorithm, licensing a copy to the new U.S.-majority-owned entity. Some Members of Congress have raised questions about ongoing PRC ties and influence over TikTok given ByteDance's retained stake and continued ownership of the underlying algorithm. The Trump administration has also reportedly deliberated whether to allow PRC firm Tencent to retain holdings in U.S. and foreign gaming companies, including Epic Games, Riot Games and Supercell, highlighting broader congressional concerns about PRC digital firms' investments and operations. The Big Picture The report maps how China's digital giants emerged in the late 1990s with the help of PRC government policies that restricted U.S. and other foreign internet services firms from operating in China while promoting alternative PRC competitors. Alibaba began in 1999 as a competitor to Amazon, while Alipay formed in 2003 to compete with PayPal. ByteDance refined an algorithm from its news aggregator business to launch Douyin in 2016, which became a predecessor and companion PRC application to TikTok. PRC policies prioritize the role digital platforms play in China's economic competitiveness, development of emerging technologies and global projects in sectors including communications, smart cities, financial services and logistics. A firm backed by China's internet regulator holds a 1% stake in Douyin Information Service Co. Ltd., which holds licenses to some of ByteDance's core PRC technology. The investment gives the government-backed firm a board seat. ByteDance still owns
Aug 30, 2026 · via legis1.com
Conceptual diagram of AI Photo: VCG Editor's Note: As China expands its role in global AI innovation, questions are growing over how new technologies can benefit developing countries and how international cooperation can keep the global AI ecosystem open, inclusive and interoperable. Sam Daws (Daws), senior advisor to the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative at the University of Oxford, founding director of Multilateral AI, and former First Officer to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, spoke with the Global Times (GT) about China's contribution to AI capacity-building and governance, as well as the scope for China-West cooperation on AI safety and standards.GT: AI, robotics and innovative medicine are becoming increasingly prominent areas of innovation in China. What does this reveal about China's evolving role in global innovation, and what opportunities could it create for other countries?Daws: China has invested significantly in innovation in these new technologies, with the result that it is now the global leader in embodied AI applications in manufacturing and robotics. The diffusion of these technologies outside China has the potential both to lower the cost for developing countries and to help create interoperable standards, so that a robot in one country works seamlessly with an algorithm from another country. The new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (an independent intergovernmental organization established in Shanghai in July 2026 to promote global AI cooperation and governance) can contribute to international capacity-building, embodied AI standard-setting and AI adoption, and help the UN achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. GT: You previously noted that China's affordable, open-source and full-stack AI solutions could help developing countries bridge the digital divide. Where do you see the greatest potential for Chinese AI to make advanced technologies more accessible and responsive to different languages, cultures and local needs?Daws: At the World AI Conference in Shanghai in
Aug 30, 2026 · via globaltimes.cn
The tour of Hangzhou was quite revealing and enriching. As I noted in the first part of this experience, we had 12 lectures. But it wasn’t just lectures. Beyond sitting in classrooms and listening to erudite instructors and professors, we had field visits. Each visit revealed something new, something unique, and sometimes what appeared to be an opening to a vista of opportunities. We had 12 field visits, and each was eye-opening. But some left particularly lasting impressions on us. One of them was our visit to the Jiufeng Waste Incineration Plant in Nanfeng Village, Yuhang District, Hangzhou. It was eye-opening. We saw waste utilisation, high-standard environmental protection treatment and smart operations working together in a way that was almost surreal. We watched in awe. The plant is regarded as a global benchmark for addressing what is commonly called the “NIMBY” problem—Not In My Backyard. Rather than hide a waste facility away from the public, the plant has been designed partly as a tourist attraction and education centre, complete with a 3D cinema, a viewing corridor and even a café overlooking the furnace. We also learnt that its emission standards are publicly displayed and are designed to surpass stringent European Union requirements. But two things stood out for me: the smart operations and the philosophy of turning waste into resources. This is how the system works. The bottom ash—the leftover grit from the combustion process—is processed into eco-bricks and road-base materials for construction. Fly ash is stabilised with chelating agents and safely disposed of or utilised in cement production. Heat generated from incineration is converted into electricity, powering tens of thousands of homes, while excess steam is piped to nearby factories for industrial use. Essentially, only a small fraction of inert residue ends up in landfill. It is a circular
Aug 30, 2026 · via businessday.ng
The Rest Of Asia Pacific Construction Glass Market was valued at $5474.4 Million in 2024 and projected to reach to $6904.2 Million by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The Rest Of Asia Pacific construction glass market is poised for sustained expansion through 2029, driven by accelerating urbanization, infrastructure development initiatives, and growing commercial real estate investments across emerging economies. | Market Size in | USD 26.32 MN | | Market Forecast in | | | CAGR | | | Forecast Period | | | Units Considered | Value (USD MN) | Rest Of Asia Pacific construction glass market valued at USD 5,474.4 million in 2024, demonstrating strong regional demand across emerging economies and developing infrastructure projects. Market projected to reach USD 6,904.2 million by 2029 with a steady CAGR of 4.8%, outpacing global average growth and reflecting accelerating construction activity across the region. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure modernization in Rest Of Asia Pacific countries are fueling demand for high-performance construction glass in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Rising commercial construction activity and government investments in smart cities and infrastructure development create significant expansion opportunities for construction glass manufacturers in the region. | Report Metric | Details | |---|---| | Base Year | 2024 | | Fastest Growing Segment | COMMERCIAL (Application) | | Forecast Period | 2024-2029 | | Growth Rate | CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2029 | | Largest Segment | FLOAT GLASS PROCESS (Manufacturing Process) | | Market Size Base Year (Billions) | ~USD 111.99 (2024) | | Revenue Forecast (Billions) | ~USD 144.3 (2029) | | Segments Covered | Type, Chemical Composition, Manufacturing Process, Application, Fiber Type, Applications | 6 segment dimensions are covered across the global market. Rest Of Asia Pacific's construction glass market is valued at USD 5,474.4 million
Aug 30, 2026 · via marketsandmarkets.com
Anyspace? Whatever. July 11–September 27, 2026 Detroit MI 48201 United States Hours: Wednesday and Saturday–Sunday 11am–5pm Thursday–Friday 11am–8pm T +1-313-832-6622 info@mocadetroit.org How do we imagine and shape the futures increasingly being designed for us? In Anyspace? Whatever., rootoftwo examines the technological systems that quietly structure contemporary civic life; from surveillance networks and algorithmic decision-making to the data infrastructures embedded within so-called “smart cities.” Rather than treating these systems as invisible background conditions, the exhibition brings them into public view, inviting visitors to consider their social, political, and ethical implications. The exhibition takes its title from French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s concept of the “any-space-whatever,” a term later adapted by urban critic Adam Greenfield to describe the abstract, frictionless environments envisioned in corporate and policy-driven narratives of the smart city. For rootoftwo, this “anyspace” represents a future in which public life is increasingly mediated by data extraction, automation, and forms of technological governance that often operate beyond public scrutiny. Yet Anyspace? Whatever. is not simply a critique. Unfolding across multiple scales of participation through tabletop games, computer-generated films, an archive, prints, sculptural installations, and architectural proposals, the exhibition functions as a forum for dialogue; moving between cautionary visions of technologically managed futures and more participatory models rooted in collective agency and cooperation. By creating space for curiosity, ambivalence, critique, and open speculation, Anyspace? Whatever. invites visitors to reconsider the relationship between technology and public life, and to imagine how more accountable, democratic, and community-centered futures might be built together. rootoftwo, the creative practice of Cézanne Charles (USA) and John Marshall (UK), uses public works, immersive spaces, and artifacts to challenge standard narratives of progress. Their work is driven by the belief that "under-imagined futures have consequences," exploring the tension between innovation and societal impact. By questioning technologies like AI and robotics, they
Aug 30, 2026 · via e-flux.com
About US Founded in 2015, the Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health was created to bring together expertise in sensing, communication, and intelligent systems across Florida Atlantic University. Over the past decade, the institute has grown into a nationally recognized hub for interdisciplinary research, innovation and real-world technology deployment. By connecting researchers, students, industry partners and public-sector collaborators, the institute transforms data into actionable insights and intelligent systems that address complex challenges facing society. Our work spans fundamental research, applied engineering, workforce development and large-scale deployments operating in real-world environments. Our Focus Areas Smarter Cities We develop technologies that help communities become more connected, resilient and sustainable. From intelligent infrastructure and transportation systems to environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness, our work supports data-driven decision-making that improves the places where people live and work. Smarter Spaces We create intelligent environments that enhance how people interact with the built world. Through advances in connected systems, artificial intelligence, autonomy and digital infrastructure, we design technologies that make spaces more responsive, efficient and adaptable. Smarter Health We advance technologies that improve health, wellness and quality of life. By combining sensing, data analytics, engineering and human-centered design, our researchers develop solutions that support healthier individuals and communities across all stages of life. How We Work The institute serves as a collaborative hub that connects expertise across disciplines and sectors. Our researchers work alongside industry leaders, government agencies, healthcare organizations and community partners to address real-world challenges through innovation and discovery. Whether deploying sensor networks that strengthen disaster preparedness, developing intelligent infrastructure for connected communities, advancing healthcare technologies, or creating next-generation autonomous and AI-enabled systems, the institute is committed to translating research into meaningful impact. Through this work, we continue to advance Florida Atlantic University's mission of research excellence while helping shape smarter cities, spaces
Aug 30, 2026 · via fau.edu
RIYADH: The fifth annual international technology conference, LEAP, opens in Riyadh on Monday, bringing together innovators, startups and investors. With the theme “Into New Worlds,” it will highlight how emerging technologies are reshaping the way people live and work. Past editions have also served as platforms for major investment announcements. More than 1,000 speakers, 1,800 technology companies, 600 startups and 1,900 investors are set to converge on the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and Tahaluf, the event is backed by global events company Informa and the Events Investment Fund. This year’s edition builds on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s support for Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, technology and space sectors, and his commitment to empowering people and positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for technology, artificial intelligence and innovation, in line with Vision 2030. It also coincides with the Kingdom’s Year of Artificial Intelligence. The program will cover AI and advanced technologies, including DeepFest, alongside tracks focused on the latest innovations in finance, health, education, sports, smart cities, space, gaming and digital infrastructure. There will also be zones dedicated to building partnerships, sports technology, global innovations and live content creation, as well as platforms for announcing agreements and technology initiatives. Since its debut in 2022 the conference has expanded its international footprint, with the launch of LEAP East in Hong Kong aimed at linking technology and AI ecosystems between East and West. The Riyadh event aims to maximize technology’s economic and social impact while creating opportunities for Saudi talent. It will give students and entrepreneurs access to global innovations, international expertise, career opportunities and venture pathways, alongside live content and showcases of emerging technologies. Also involved
Aug 29, 2026 · via arabnews.pk
Nuclear Data Centres, PFAS & EV Energy: This Week’s Top 5 Electricity is the resource that forms the very foundation of modern civilisation, yet it is a minor miracle that energy systems function at all. From generation to transmission, from storage to trading, the economy behind today’s electricity market is remarkably convoluted. Every day brings a new set of questions that energy companies have to answer. How much electricity will people need tomorrow afternoon? Which power plants can help to meet that demand? Should we buy electricity from another company instead of generating it ourselves? How do we manage payments for these services? PCI Energy Solutions is a company that helps the energy sector answer these questions. In 1999, the Irish Government banned domestic nuclear power generation – a moratorium that has now lasted for almost three decades. At the time, Ireland had a population of less than four million and its energy demand was regarded as small enough to forgo the construction of nuclear power plants, which a sizeable proportion of Irish people regarded as dangerous and expensive. Now, in 2026, the Irish Government is reportedly considering overturning that ban, all because of an industry that scarcely existed in the country before the turn of the millennium. The industry in question is data centres. In the 21st century, Ireland has become an important base for many of the world’s largest tech companies, thanks to its low corporate tax rates and proximity to the EU. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances represent a material challenge for energy operators managing legacy contamination at industrial sites. The oil and gas sector confronts specific obligations connected to historical firefighting foam use, creating both regulatory and operational pressures that require immediate attention and strategic planning. A comprehensive report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Global
Aug 29, 2026 · via energydigital.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor is moving towards becoming an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered state, with AI set to be integrated into government operations and public services to improve efficiency. State Islamic Affairs and Digital Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the next phase of the state's Smart City agenda would focus on using data and AI to shape policies and improve services. "Selangor completed 60 initiatives under its Smart City programme from 2016 to 2025, including the integration of applications and systems to monitor public assistance, as well as digital platforms for city management. "Under the Second Selangor Plan 2026-2030, we will move towards AI Cities, a leap that Selangor will try to lead." Fahmi said the move would complete the Smart City cycle by allowing data collected through existing systems and applications to be analysed and translated into policies, regulations and guidelines. "A city will become truly smart if data can be analysed and translated into policies, regulations and guidelines that are more appropriate for implementation." He said AI-powered systems would be used in government processes and public services by 2030, although the extent of implementation was still being explored. "I am optimistic that Selangor will have AI systems of this kind in use next year." Fahmi said the state needed more efficient ways to manage its services, with about 19,000 civil servants serving a state he described as 11 times larger than Singapore. He said AI could help automate government processes, analyse large amounts of data and provide faster guidance on the action required. The development of an AI City would require centralised digital infrastructure capable of collecting, storing and analysing data using graphics processing units and the latest AI technology. Fahmi said Selangor's 5G coverage, which stood at 97 per cent, would also provide an important foundation
Aug 29, 2026 · via nst.com.my
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met senior officials of the Chinese technology giant Huawei and discussed expanding cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure and smart public services as well as training 1,000 youth from Punjab as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers will also receive AI training from the company. A statement said that the CM welcomed the company’s collaboration with Punjab and invited Huawei to invest in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The two sides agreed to train 1,000 youth as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers would also receive AI training. The meeting also reviewed a proposal to establish an artificial intelligence delivery unit in Punjab and discussed setting up six data centres, including a sovereign data centre at the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The participants also agreed to designate a focal person to improve coordination between Huawei and the government of Pakistan. Cooperation in smart cities, command centres, healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing was also discussed. The CM said that advancing Punjab in the field of AI was a top priority, adding that the province was among the most active regions in Pakistan and South Asia in adopting technology. “Talent development and inclusive access to technology are key pillars of Punjab’s strategy,” she said, adding that cloud computing, digital infrastructure and locally-developed AI models would be developed in the province. Meanwhile, the CM expressed grief over the loss of lives and damage to property caused by torrential rains and severe flooding in Nepal. Expressing solidarity with the people of Nepal, she said the people of Punjab stood with their Nepali brothers and sisters in this difficult hour. She prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and early rehabilitation of families affected by the disaster. She said the Punjab government was ready to extend all
Aug 29, 2026 · via dawn.com
On August 25, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and a Vietnamese delegation visited Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), which plays an important role in implementing South Korea’s policies on land management, urban and industrial infrastructure development, social housing and rental housing. The Vietnamese delegation and LH exchanged experience in planning, land development, investment mechanisms and long-term capital mobilisation for public housing, as well as the development and operation of social housing, identification of eligible beneficiaries and post-investment housing stock management. Minister Tran Hong Minh also spoke highly of LH’s experience in land development, new urban areas, smart cities, green urban development and other modern urban models. These are areas in which Vietnam seeks to strengthen cooperation and exchange experience amid accelerating urbanisation. He welcomed South Korean businesses to continue exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in green urban development, smart cities, social housing and infrastructure. On the same day, Minister Tran Hong Minh and the delegation visited the Seoul Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS), where they were introduced to the city’s integrated traffic operation centre and its systems for collecting, connecting and analysing data and applying digital technologies to urban management. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and the Vietnamese delegation visit the Seoul Transport Operation & Information Service (TOPIS). According to Minister Tran Hong Minh, smart urban development involves not only the application of individual technologies but also innovation in management methods and the development and integration of databases to improve forecasting, optimise the management of land, housing and infrastructure, and provide more comprehensive urban services. On August 26, Minister Tran Hong Minh held talks with Kim Yun-duk, South Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), focusing on cooperation in housing, urban development and digital transformation in urban management. The talks took place as cooperation
Aug 29, 2026 · via baoxaydung.vn