Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has expressed his confidence that the city's leadership in artificial intelligence can help it become a global-leading smart city.
According to a new report which was highlighted at London Technology Week, the UK capital is home to twice the number of AI firms than that of Paris and Berlin combined. London is home to 758 firms where AI is the central component and core to its overall business models.
The report which was commissioned by the Mayor of London indicates clearly that the UK capital is now a global hub for AI and is leading Europe in terms of growth in the emerging technology that is being tipped to transform every major industry in the next ten years.
During his presentation at London Tech Week, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outlined in detail how he firmly believed that AI represented the future of the UK economy and stressed the importance on capitalizing on these new technologies that can reshape society.
Khan said, "There are few areas of innovation that have the power to define our future economy and society more than artificial intelligence. As mayor, it is my goal to ensure both that London is at the forefront of developing and capitalizing on these new technologies, and that all Londoners can benefit from the opportunities that they create. The research describes a city with a rich technology ecosystem, a strong pipeline of AI innovation and an academic and investment base set up for the long term."
Khan also added that he hoped that London's early leadership in AI can accelerate its smart city development. The Mayor of London disclosed a future roadmap in relation to a number of projects and initiatives aimed at turning the capital city in a world-leading smart city.
Khan outlined more than 20 initiatives he will introduce in order to achieve his smart city aim. The proposals include bringing full fiber broadband to all new homes, working with TFL and councils to roll out 4G more widely across public buildings, adding smart sensors to public infrastructure like lamp posts, as well as supporting bids to test 5G.