As AI accelerates, cities are evolving beyond "smart" into something far more transformative: autonomous, self-learning urban systems. This article explores urgent questions—who programs the algorithms, who holds power, and how AI might shape or replace public governance. The AI-driven city isn't a distant vision; it's a present challenge. What kind of future are we building—and who gets to decide?

At Connected North 2025, I moderated a panel on how councils are using AI—not in theory, but in practice. Councils are no longer waiting on the sidelines; AI is delivering real results today. From chatbots to automated triage in social care, local authorities are building affordable, effective tools in-house. But AI is only as good as the data—and data needs infrastructure. That’s why digital connectivity is now essential for public sector innovation.