Six European cities – Helsinki, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris Region, Stavanger, and Tallinn – are participating in the AI4Cities project to look for AI solutions that will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and meet their commitments to becoming carbon neutral. The three-year, EU-funded project will challenge companies to develop energy and mobility solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) as well as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and other related technologies.
Kaisa Sibelius, coordinator of the AI4Cities project and project manager at Forum Virium Helsinki, commented, “Cities and regions have a lot to say and do when it comes to climate action. We are very well placed to support our national governments in achieving climate goals. AI4Cities shows our leadership and our willingness to use the power of pre-commercial procurement to boost innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainability in Europe.”
The participants will go through a pre-commercial procurement (PCP) process, where a minimum of 40 contractors (20 each for the mobility and energy challenges) will present initial designs and feasibility studies. After assessments, half will be invited to develop their prototypes with a final six contractors chosen to proceed to larger-scale pilots. Total funding of €4.6 million (~$5,000,000) will be divided among the selected suppliers throughout the PCP process.
The ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability network will recruit other cities in Europe to follow the PCP process and adopt the outcomes of the project.
“AI4Cities is a living example how sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, providing practical answers to the challenges ahead,” said Philipp Tepper, coordinator, Sustainable Economy and Procurement, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. “Open-source solutions to drive climate change mitigation using the tangible tool of public procurement is timely and ICLEI welcomes the leadership taken by European cities.”
