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Smart cities Advances in Infrastructure, AI, and Cybersecurity

Published: November 2025

The further development of urban infrastructures through intelligent monitoring systems, autonomous technologies, and networked systems is fundamentally changing life in cities. The use of AI, sensors, and IoT enables effective traffic management and increases safety in public spaces. Autonomous robots and AI-supported systems assist rescue operations and infrastructure monitoring, while advanced IoT applications contribute to increasing efficiency in urban areas. At the same time, 5G, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) are driving connectivity and the development of smart cities, thereby improving quality of life and infrastructure management. In light of this networking, data protection and cybersecurity are gaining importance; technologies such as “Privacy preserving technologies” (PPTs), cameras, and edge computing play a key role in protecting sensitive data.

Guiding questions

  • How can the balance between real-time monitoring and data protection in urban infrastructures be optimally achieved?
  • What investments in infrastructure are necessary to make smart cities in Thuringia sustainable and secure?
  • How can emergency and risk management systems be optimized to respond to incidents in real time?
  • What specific requirements exist for cybersecurity and data protection technologies to protect the increasing networking in urban environments?
Bildbeschreibung / description: A city view with neon lights and passing cars at night.

Challenges

With the increasing networking and digitalization in smart cities, complex challenges arise in the areas of cybersecurity and data protection. Sensitive data must be protected while simultaneously being available in real-time for analyses and decision-making processes. Furthermore, the large-scale implementation of AI and IoT technologies requires a robust infrastructure that meets the demands of a connected city. The integration of 5G and highly specialized emergency management systems is also critical to ensure that new technologies function smoothly and securely. Additionally, the scalability of these technologies for larger urban areas presents a challenge.

Concrete examples

  • Optimization of traffic flow through adaptive traffic light control and detour routes
  • Robots for rescue operations
Bildbeschreibung / description: Foresight – Thuringia, Blue Eye in Focus

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Reference

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Reference

Michel Reichardt

Michel Reichardt Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Christoph Grollman

Christoph Grollman Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Dr. Sophia Gänßle

Dr. Sophia Gänßle Project Manager Data Science Strategic Foresight

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