Smarter eco-cities, AI and AI of Things, and environmental sustainability

Smarter eco-cities, characterized by their advanced technological landscape, are at the forefront of ushering in a new era of environmental sustainability. These intelligent urban environments leverage cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) solutions to address and mitigate environmental challenges.

The integration of AIoT technologies enables these cities to harness real-time data, optimize resource utilization, and implement innovative approaches for ecological conservation and resilience. In doing so, they contribute significantly to the creation of more sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems, fostering a harmonious balance between technological advancement and environmental well-being. As we explore the realm of smarter eco-cities, several questions emerge:

• What foundational elements define the emergence of smarter eco-cities, and how do they intertwine?
• What factors serve as the key enablers and drivers propelling the evolution of smarter eco-cities?
• What constitutes the primary AI and AIoT solutions that can be leveraged in shaping the development of smarter eco-cities?
• What challenges and barriers arise in implementing AI and AIoT solutions for the development of smarter eco-cities?

In a systematic review published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, invaluable insights and novel perspectives are presented. These findings serve as a crucial resource for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, providing them with the necessary knowledge to advance the integration of eco-urbanism and AI- and AIoT-driven urbanism.

Since the mid-2010s, the gradual influence of data-driven technologies and solutions in smart cities has been reshaping the dynamics of eco-cities. This transformation aligns with a smarter approach to environmental sustainability, characterized by the integration of core eco-city domains with those of smart cities.

This trajectory is expected to persist as the technologies and solutions of smart cities—including AI, IoT, and Big Data—advance and seamlessly integrate with sustainable technologies and strategies. This integration enables the development of innovative approaches, showcasing the capability to address increasingly complex challenges.

Consequently, the continual advancement in AI and AIoT applications contributes to the ongoing evolution of smart eco-cities, making them even more intelligent in their commitment to achieving environmental sustainability.

In response to the pressing need for effective solutions, these technologies are poised to offer novel applications that not only overcome current challenges but also pave the way for sustained improvements.

Moreover, a positive feedback loop is anticipated, wherein the more these solutions are implemented, the higher the likelihood of their further adoption. This can be attributed to the amplifying effects of network dynamics, continuous learning, adaptive capabilities, and enhanced coordination, creating a reinforcing cycle of positive impact on environmental sustainability efforts.

Nevertheless, the high energy demands associated with AI and AIoT applications, especially when relying on non-renewable energy sources, pose a challenge to the attainment of environmental objectives in smarter eco-cities.

On a direct level, the construction of smarter eco-cities involves the implementation of urban operating systems, urban operations centers, and urban dashboards, necessitating substantial amounts of natural resources for the development, installation, and maintenance of AI and AIoT ecosystems. Additionally, the life cycle of IoT and AI, encompassing production, distribution, service, and disposal, generates considerable amounts of e-waste, unsustainable materials, and toxic pollution.

Ensuring the sustainable growth of AI, IoT, Big Data technologies, green computing, and eco-friendly design is imperative to address the potential disparities between the environmental aspirations of smarter eco-cities and the opportunities presented by AI and AIoT technologies.

AI and AIoT solutions should be carefully implemented in conjunction with sustainable and eco-friendly design principles, energy-efficient policy instruments, and other relevant measures. This collaborative effort is aimed at ensuring that the efficiency gains facilitated by AI and AIoT solutions contribute to the reduction of energy use and carbon footprint.

Technical and ethical challenges, encompassing black-box models, bias and fairness, data privacy and security, transparency and accountability, and information asymmetries must be systematically addressed. It is crucial for smart cities to prioritize initiatives that not only enhance socio-economic equality and foster social inclusion but also adhere to principles of openness and clarity.

This study identifies and evaluates critical challenges associated with environmental costs, privacy concerns regarding data collection and usage, cybersecurity risks in interconnected systems, public trust, and social acceptance. Additionally, it highlights challenges such as limited technical expertise and knowledge, the absence of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible deployment of AI and AIoT, and the imperative to ensure the equitable use of AI and AIoT technologies.

The comprehensive insights synthesized in this study hold substantial implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers actively involved in the design, management, and planning of smarter eco-cities.