Can a city truly become smart? Dublin, Ohio and The Beta District are proving the answer is a resounding yes

Chris Amorose Groomes presenting at the New Taipei City Smart City Forum, New Taipei City Government

Located in The Beta District, Dublin, Ohio, is a significant contributor to the state’s and the globe’s smart city innovations. Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes , alongside Dublin’s Economic Development Director Jeremiah Gracia, recently showcased Dublin’s progress in smart city technology and artificial intelligence at the 2024 New Taipei City Smart City Forum. This event spotlighted global leaders in smart technology and explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping public policies, revolutionizing technology and transforming urban development strategies.

In the era of AI, integrating these technologies with public policies to achieve sustainability has become a new paradigm for cities worldwide. New Taipei City, a global leader in smart technology driven by AI, has made a significant impact on the international stage. In 2022, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named the city Intelligent Community of the Year, its fourth recognition since 2012. In 2023, New Taipei City also became the first in the world to receive the prestigious Smart City Certification.

These achievements led ICF to invite New Taipei to co-host the 2024 Smart City Forum and Top 7 Announcement Dinner, where Dublin, Ohio, was also recognized for its smart city initiatives. Ohio itself made history in smart city innovation in October 2022 when the ICF declared it the world’s first intelligent state. Since then, Ohio has made great strides in smart city development.

Amorose Groomes highlighted Dublin’s cutting-edge approach to urban management, highlighting AI-powered services such as Zencity and Citibot. Zencity gathers and analyzes public sentiment from social media, enabling the city to respond quickly to community needs. Citibot, an AI-driven chatbot, streamlines citizen engagement by offering a simple way for residents to access information and services. While these AI technologies mark a significant leap forward in urban management, Amorose Groomes emphasized that they must be combined with the expertise and critical thinking of Dublin’s professional staff members.

Jeremiah Gracia, Dublin’s Economic Development Director, emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “Dublin’s involvement in deploying smart city technologies is not just about the innovation – it is about creating a more responsive, efficient, and inclusive urban environment for our residents and businesses. We leverage these technologies to enhance the quality of life in our community and set a standard as a global city of choice.”

Dublin’s smart city initiatives are just one part of a larger ecosystem. The city’s location within The Beta District positions it at the forefront of cutting-edge transportation and mobility solutions. One of the most ambitious projects in the region is the US 33 Smart Mobility Corridor. The 35-mile stretch has cutting-edge connected vehicle roadside technology powered by 100-Gig fiber.  The Beta District collaborates with DriveOhio, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Transportation Research Center for numerous connected and automated vehicle initiatives.

 The U.S 33 Smart Mobility Corridor in The Beta District

The data collected and analyzed within The Beta District and the Smart Mobility Corridor has significantly contributed to advancing safety technologies, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and vehicle-to-everything V2X communication. These solutions, ranging from AI-driven predictive technology, are proving to enhance safety for all road users.

Mayor Amorose Groomes highlighted the impact of these systems, stating, “Utilizing vehicle technologies like these can address 80 percent of crash scenarios and reduce 26 percent of crashes. This technology could prevent nearly 600,000 crashes and save more than one thousand lives per year”.

The collaboration between Dublin, The Beta District and global tech leaders underscores the impact of shared innovation approach. As Amorose Groomes noted at the Smart City Forum, Dublin’s and The Beta District’s success stems from strong partnerships, driving progress that is not only transforming the region but shaping the future of urban development globally.