AI-Driven Utilities and Infrastructure for Smarter, Efficient and Sustainable Cities

More than half of the world’s population lives in cities.^[1] As this figure continues to grow, leaders are turning to technology to address some of the key energy and infrastructure challenges, building smarter cities for the future.

AI is redefining how cities operate – enabling smarter, more connected urban environments that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. With its ability to analyse vast datasets, make predictions, and automate complex processes, AI is becoming the backbone of smart city infrastructure and utilities.

From optimising energy use in buildings to streamlining resource management and bolstering security, AI offers scalable, transformative solutions to urban challenges. This ensures that cities are not only prepared for the future but are also actively being transformed into AI-powered metropolises.

Transforming Urban Management

Efficient city management in the digital-first landscape demands more than traditional systems. It requires an intelligent and integrated approach that can unify data, enhance operations, and respond dynamically to urban challenges. AI is at the heart of this transformation, enabling cities to analyse and act on real-time data with precision.

Take our AGIL® Smart City Operating System (AGIL Smart City OS) for instance, a centralised platform that integrates disparate systems. Leveraging AI, it transforms data into actionable insights, enabling automated workflows, faster response times, and improved citizen experiences through interactive applications like AI-powered chatbots.

Our AGIL Smart City OS will act as the digital backbone in Lusail, Qatar’s second-largest city – accelerating data-driven decision-making, automating 24/7 city monitoring, and streamlining resources. Lusail will thus be able to swiftly address challenges, creating an adaptive, connected environment for over 45,000 residents and visitors.

Empowering Building Energy Efficiency

Buildings account for a significant share of urban energy use, with up to 30% of energy wasted due to inefficient management.^[2] This highlights the urgent need for smarter energy management to optimise usage and reduce wastage.

Our AGIL® Smart Energy Building solution addresses this, using AI-powered predictive cooling to adjust smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings based on real-time occupancy and weather data. By equipping critical systems with connectivity and adding sensors to existing infrastructure, buildings owners can ensure precise cooling, minimise energy waste, and enhance occupant comfort.

AI’s role extends beyond energy optimisation. Through predictive maintenance, sensor data and historical records can be used to identify potential equipment failures before they happen. This will reduce downtime, extend the lifespan of building assets, and heighten operational resilience – making buildings smarter and more sustainable.

Modernising Security, Water and Utilities

Transforming broader urban ecosystems by enhancing traditional systems to deliver advanced capabilities is vital for unlocking new efficiencies, particularly in security, water and utilities management. For instance, AI-powered detection systems like our smart security solutions improve accuracy and efficiency in managing border control by harnessing robust security intelligence with multi-modal biometric identification technologies. Safeguarding the access to borders, critical infrastructure and city spaces is critical to ensuring the security of smart cities today and in the future.

Meanwhile, our BrightCity platform, an advanced suite of integrated smart water meter solutions, leverages data analytics to provide cost-effective smart water meter monitoring and control. Cities with ageing water infrastructure can utilise it for real-time insights to effectively plan resources, manage consumption, and predict future demands. As we explore AI-driven models in operational and resource optimisation, as well as future resource planning, we expect to see greater sustainability gains.

Our cutting-edge AI-enabled solutions for smart utilities are at the forefront of enhancing operational capabilities and resource management for modern cities. By leveraging extensive datasets from utility providers, we can help optimise operations, enhance service delivery, and accelerate real-time responses to address community needs effectively.

AI at the Core of our Urban Innovations

As cities evolve, our AI-enabled solutions are emerging as a cornerstone of their future, driving sustainability and resilience in urban ecosystems. By 2025, more than 30% of smart city applications are expected to leverage AI to improve mobility, resilience, and sustainability,^[3] and our AI expertise will help cities seamlessly apply these technologies to address urban challenges and thrive.

^[1] Dyvik, E. H. (2024, July 7). Degree of urbanization 2023, by continent. Statista.
^[2] How artificial intelligence reduces energy consumption in commercial buildings. (n.d.). Ento.
^[3] Diran D., Van V. A. F.,Timan T., Testa P. and Kirova M. (2021, July). Artificial Intelligence in smart cities andurban mobility. European Parliament.