The World Economic and Social Survey 2018 reviews the advances in frontier technologies ‘“ automation, robotics, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, biotechnologies and artificial intelligence ‘“ and analyses their economic, social and environmental impact. Advances in frontier technologies present new and unique challenges. While promising prosperity, these technologies also present risks of growing unemployment, underemployment and inequality, and raise new ethical and moral challenges. Continue reading →
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This paper Smart Cities at Risk!: Privacy and Security Borderlines from Social Networking in Cities written by Moustaka, V. Theodosiou, Z. Vakali, A. and Kounoudes A., deals with the impact of Online Social Networks (OSN) privacy and security risks on the social dimensions of smart cities and attempts to investigate their interaction. Moreover, it introduces the issue of children’ privacy and security and proposes a relationship model of security and privary threats.
The Cities Coalition for Digital Rights marks the first international agreement between cities to develop policies to protect their citizens’ internet privacy. The coalition was introduced at the Smart Cities Expo World Congress in Barcelona, and was signed by Barcelona, New York and Amsterdam. The joint initiative will promote and track progress in protecting residents’ and visitors’ digital rights. 
Motivated by the worldwide implementation of smart city projects (SCPs) combined with the need for an assessment tool for these projects, a group of researchers from the 
As the robot industry develops and debates on the ‘rise of the robots’ increase at a global level, Centre for Cities explores how automation and artificial intelligence could transform UK cities. Their research shows that some cities will be more vulnerable than others and that, without concerted action, socio-economic divides across the country are likely to widen. Stressing the need to understand the deeper meaning of these changes, the authors explore how the skill system adapts to respond to these changes. 
This white paper is a modular tool for public, private, and government sectors designing processes of public participation in smart city planning. Rather than governments and corporations embracing smart technologies in search of problems, a civic smart city works with citizens to define problems, and reflect on potential solutions, before implementing new technologies. It is a collaborative work between the Engagement Lab at Emerson College, the City as Platform Lab at the University of Waterloo, and the Center for Smart Cities and Regions at Arizona State University.
The article “The future of waste management in smart and sustainable cities: A review and concept paper” was recently published in the journal of Waste Management. It builds on an integrative review of the literature, including IoT-enabled waste management practices. This study offers insights into the potential of smart cities and connected communities in facilitating waste management efforts.