How will smart cities evolve in the coming years? We not only have to take into account technology but also where the economy will evolve, new trends in working and communicating ... It is clear that COVID-19 has had a lot to do with the future of these cities. Will the course of technologies change or will it just be an adaptation?
Let's see what we can expect;
1) One of the main problems we face in 2021, due to vulnerabilities in the IoT ecosystem, is that 20% of deployed local government devices will be compromised by malware and ransomware attacks. This will lead to greater adoption of SOAR AI / ML capabilities.
So we will need new talents who can combine knowledge of AI implementations with cybersecurity training and must be hired to maximize opportunities that take advantage of automation. In addition to a new network design and secure implementations that can natively take advantage of AI / ML SOAR capabilities.
2) Due to COVID-19 this year 2021, 45% of communities will move to a hybrid workforce that will use cloud-based applications, digital collaboration tools and mobile technologies to maintain services and ensure the balance between work, life and health.
This hybrid way of working requires a technology strategy to support all employee roles. This requires ongoing investment in process digitization, online collaboration tools, and access to applications through remote locations.
Security will be a relevant element as it requires encryption, access controls and training.
3) By 2022, 40% of law enforcement agencies will use digital tools, such as live video streaming and shared workflows, to support community safety and alternative response framework approaches to enforcement of the law.
The right governance structure will need to be created to work with stakeholders on a secure process for sharing information across agencies, and work with technology providers to understand whether core operational technology can be adapted to alternative response mechanisms
4) By 2024, smart cities and communities spending will be $ 203 billion with investment areas focused on a wide range of areas, such as public safety, civic engagement, and smart city platforms.
5) By 2026, 20% of the city's products and services will be delivered using high-touch digital and hybrid digital / physical experiences, transforming constituent interaction with local government.
There will be increased demand for specific IT products to support the digitization of physical experiences and processes.
Organizations may have difficulty managing the impact of contactless delivery or virtual services on work processes and workflow.
As a consequence, the provider ecosystem will have to be expanded to include newer and smaller players in areas such as games, digital currencies, and video-based services.
(Ruthbea Yesner, Alison Brooks. IDC FutureScape Worldwide Smart Cities and Communities 2021 Predictions).
In conclusion, the Smart City of the future must be a system that faces and takes advantage of new technological challenges to promote human and social capital and achieve economic and environmental resilience.
We can say then, that both governments and companies related to technology as well as those destined to provide sustainable mobility services, connectivity support or urban infrastructure will have work ahead in the coming years.
It will also be necessary for private investors to join these investment trends and support companies and services to provide a good future in our cities.
