The Global Cities Hub (GCH) organized two discussions and launched its new policy paper on the emerging topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and the citiverse. On 8 July, GCH hosted a ‘Fireside Chat on the Transformative Power of AI in the Citiverse’, followed on 15 July by the webinar ‘Preparing Cities for the AI-enabled Citiverse’.
- The AI-enabled citiverse represents a governance transformation, not simply a technological upgrade. It will fundamentally reshape how cities plan, manage services, engage citizens, and respond to emerging challenges.
- Successful adoption requires more than technology. Trust, governance, digital inclusion, capacity-building, and collaboration between cities and international partners are essential to ensuring that AI benefits all and leave no one behind.
- Local governments must prepare now. Practical tools such as the City Leader’s Field Guide and GCH’s policy recommendations can help cities assess readiness, build strategic vision, and harness AI’s opportunities while managing its risks.
Cities are entering a new phase of digital transformation driven by AI, advanced connectivity, and immersive digital environments. While earlier smart city initiatives focused primarily on sensors and data platforms, the emerging concept of the citiverse represents a comprehensive urban digital ecosystem that integrates physical infrastructure, digital twins, immersive interfaces, and AI-enabled decision-making systems.
Fireside Chat on the Transformative Power of AI in the Citiverse
To mark the launch of its policy paper, GCH brought together two distinguished former city leaders: Sami Kanaan, former Mayor of Geneva, and Ivica Puljak, former Mayor of Split. Drawing on their professional experience and personal visions, the speakers explored the technological, social, economic, and governance dimensions of the AI-enabled citiverse.
The discussion focused on how AI and other digital tools can improve municipal service delivery and support urban decision-making. Speakers also examined the role of local leaders in mitigating social and economic risks while maximizing opportunities created by technological innovation.
A central message throughout the exchange was that technology alone cannot guarantee positive outcomes. Trust, effective governance, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing among cities are essential to ensuring that digital transformation benefits communities. The discussion also underscored the importance of collaboration between cities and international organizations in addressing the practical challenges faced by citizens and local governments.
Webinar: Preparing Cities for the AI-enabled Citiverse
The second event introduced the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds – Discovering the Citiverse and highlighted one of its flagship outputs: the City Leader’s Field Guide – Preparing for the AI-enabled Citiverse. The guide supports cities in aligning strategic vision, technical foundations, and inclusive design principles to accelerate practical adoption of citiverse solutions.
GCH contributed to the development of the Field Guide and considers it a valuable resource for local and regional governments. The publication provides a practical readiness assessment and a 90-day action framework to help city leaders identify implementation gaps and move toward deployment.
The webinar featured two leading contributors to the Global Initiative. Teppo Rantanen, Director for Competitiveness and Innovation at the City of Tampere, presented the Strategic Guidance track, which develops reports, guidelines, and best practices for the implementation of virtual worlds. Dr. Christina Yan Zhang, CEO of the Metaverse Institute, introduced the Evaluation and Assessment track and its key outcome: the City Leader’s Field Guide – Preparing for the AI-enabled Citiverse.
Launch of the Policy Paper
GCH also launched its policy paper, 'The Transformative Power of the AI-enabled Citiverse’. The paper starts from the premise that AI is a foundational socio-economic technology and examines how an AI-enabled citiverse would reshape local governance. It provides an overview of ongoing multilateral initiatives where local and regional governments can engage and influence policy discussions.
The paper argues that AI-enabled citiverse solutions can help local and regional governments deliver more efficient and resilient public services, improve infrastructure and mobility management through predictive capabilities, strengthen sustainability efforts, and enhance citizen engagement through digital platforms and conversational services.
At the same time, the paper warns that these benefits are not automatic. Without robust governance frameworks, AI could reinforce inequalities, increase dependence on major technology providers, create privacy and cybersecurity risks, and deepen digital divides.
Its recommendations focus on creating local citiverse ecosystems that enhance governance, innovation, economic development, and social cohesion. Ensuring that this transformation remains people-centered and inclusive is a must.