Smart City Summit & Expo 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of AI-Driven Urban Transformation

The Smart City Summit & Expo (SCSE) 2025 in Taipei kicked off with influential global leaders sharing their visions for the future of smart cities.

Key figures such as Mr. Gábor Kiss, Chief Advisor on Foreign Affairs to the President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Charles Lin, Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung City, Mr. Jiunn Shiow Lin, Director General of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MoDA) in Taiwan, and Mr. Steven M. Neuhaus, County Executive of Orange County, New York, gathered to explore how cutting-edge technologies like AI, data analytics, and smart infrastructure will reshape cities and urban life.

This year’s event provided a dynamic platform for thought leaders, technology pioneers, and policymakers to discuss the future of urban innovation and digital transformation. Here’s a look at the key highlights and initiatives presented at SCSE 2025 that are setting the stage for smarter, more sustainable cities.

Kaohsiung’s Generative AI Revolution: A Model for Smart Cities Worldwide

A major highlight of the conference came from Kaohsiung City, where Deputy Mayor Charles Lin introduced the city’s groundbreaking Generative AI (Gen AI) platform. Developed in collaboration with NVIDIA and Chung Hwa Telecom, Kaohsiung is unveiling the world’s first city-scale Gen AI platform, known as the KS Sovereign AI Project. This ambitious platform integrates city-level data through technologies like Digital Twins and Large Language Models (LLM), offering a new approach to urban management.

For city leaders and tech innovators, this platform represents a major leap forward in how AI can optimize urban living. By analyzing complex data sets, Kaohsiung will be able to make more precise decisions in areas like mobility, healthcare, energy management, and public safety. The Lighthouse Programme aims to export this innovative solution to other cities globally, with Mexico already on the radar.

Taiwan’s Smart City Vision: A Blueprint for Global Innovation
Taiwan, a long-time leader in digital transformation, was represented by Jiunn Shiow Lin, Director General of Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MoDA). Shiow Lin shared Taiwan’s progress in promoting smart city development, which has led to the creation of 258 smart applications by 345 companies. These innovations, developed through Taiwan’s Smart City Initiative, have not only transformed Taiwan but have also been successfully exported to other global cities, solving urban challenges such as traffic congestion, energy consumption, and public health issues.

With the Taiwanese government’s commitment of 10 billion NTD to foster AI startups, Taiwan continues to strengthen its position as a hub for technological innovation, making it an important partner for other nations and cities seeking to accelerate their own smart city agendas.

Global Partnerships: Building a Smarter, More Sustainable Future

In addition to Taiwan’s efforts, Gábor Kiss, Chief Advisor on Foreign Affairs to the President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke about the growing partnership between Hungary and Taiwan. He highlighted their focus on smart business and green energy, underscoring the mutual interest in exploring investment opportunities in AI-driven urban solutions.

This partnership is set to grow with the signing of multiple MOUs aimed at advancing smart city technology and sustainable energy solutions.

Kiss also raised an important point about the challenges AI presents, particularly when it comes to training and ethical considerations. As AI continues to drive urban innovation, there is a critical need to ensure systems are both effective and aligned with ethical standards, especially in the context of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Challenges and Opportunities in Smart City Solutions

During the conference’s Q&A session, Steven M. Neuhaus, County Executive of Orange County, New York, discussed key challenges and opportunities in smart city development.

He stressed the need to stay ahead of rapidly advancing technologies, particularly in areas like drone technology, AI, and semiconductors, all of which are critical for smarter, more secure urban environments.

For city leaders, this is a call to action: the opportunity for innovation is vast, but cities must be proactive in integrating these technologies into urban operations. As Neuhaus noted, collaboration between cities is more important than ever, especially as global disruptors continue to impact the urban landscape.

Privacy and Security: Ensuring Data Integrity in the Smart City Era

As smart cities rely more heavily on data, Jiunn Shiow Lin also highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to data privacy and security. With the rise of smart city technologies, especially AI, the importance of protecting citizens' data has never been greater.

Taiwan is leading the way with Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs), which ensure that data can be used without compromising personal information. This approach offers valuable lessons for other cities as they seek to implement smart technologies while building trust with their residents.

A Vision for the Future of Smart Cities

The Smart City Summit & Expo 2025 will set the stage for a transformative future, one where cities around the world are leveraging AI, data analytics, and smart infrastructure to create more efficient, sustainable, and resilient urban spaces.

From Kaohsiung’s pioneering Generative AI platform to Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to global smart city collaborations, the conference showcased how cities can harness emerging technologies to address the challenges of the future.

For cities looking to embrace the smart city revolution, the opportunity is clear. SCSE 2025 provided a compelling roadmap for integrating technology into urban governance, creating more sustainable cities, and improving the quality of life for residents.

As the global smart city movement gains momentum, the next decade will be pivotal in defining how we live, work, and interact within our urban environments.