Governments worldwide are leveraging AI to enhance urban resilience and improve services. Jakarta, for instance, uses AI to predict floods up to six hours in advance, allowing authorities to take preventive measures. Aberdeen City Council in Scotland has upgraded its virtual assistant with generative AI, providing residents with round-the-clock, multilingual support.
ThoughtLab’s research, Building a People-First, AI-Powered City, reveals that over 200 cities are actively using AI. Key findings include 80% of cities applying AI to data and infrastructure management, 77% to cybersecurity, and 69% to digital citizen services. The most successful cities, termed 'Leaders,' prioritize human-centered design, achieving a 99% return on AI investments compared to 42% for others.
Three standout examples include Abu Dhabi’s TAMM platform, which offers 1,200 services to 4.7 million users with a 94.5% satisfaction rate. Tampere in Finland developed Tampere VIP, an AI assistant for local events and activities. Munich Fire Department is testing an AI voice operator to handle non-urgent calls, freeing dispatchers for emergencies.
Microsoft highlights the importance of trust and sovereignty in AI deployment. Tools like Foundry Local and Azure Enclave help governments maintain control over sensitive data. The company will showcase these innovations at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2026, featuring demos and sessions on resilient cities and trusted intelligence.