Anastasia Sukhoroslova

Emerging technologies and AI-driven innovations are accelerating a new phase of urban transformation, redefining how cities operate, evolve, and interact with citizens. As innovation moves faster than ever, cities are becoming testing grounds for new models of governance, connectivity, sustainability, and urban experience. The challenge is no longer only technological adoption, but the ability to translate innovation into meaningful impact and long-term public value. This session examines how new technological solutions, powered by AI and innovation, are being applied through projects designed to improve cities and enhance urban life.

In increasingly digital cities, opportunity is shaped by more than connectivity—it depends on who has the access, skills, and rights to participate fully. While digital technologies are transforming economies and public services, they also risk deepening existing inequalities if inclusion is not addressed from the outset. Cities are beginning to take a more holistic approach, combining infrastructure, education, and rights-based frameworks to expand access to digital opportunity. As AI reshapes the workforce and decision-making systems, the challenge is not only to bridge divides, but to build inclusive digital ecosystems where innovation supports social equity, economic participation, and individual empowerment.