Latest news with #SmartCities
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Self-service platform for issuing property title deeds launched
Muscat: In a major stride towards enhancing digital governance and streamlining public services, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has officially launched a new self-service platform for issuing digital property title deeds. The service allows beneficiaries to obtain their title deeds instantly and electronically, eliminating the need for in-person visits to service halls. This initiative marks a significant shift in simplifying procedures. By enabling immediate issuance of ownership documents online, the ministry anticipates reducing the time spent on such services by over 70 per cent and cutting in-person visits by 60 per cent in the first year alone. In addition to efficiency and speed, the initiative aligns with the ministry's sustainability goals. It complements a broader digital transition strategy that includes internal communications, external documentation and now the issuance of secure digital title deeds. Each document is embedded with an electronic verification code, ensuring both accuracy and authenticity. Users can access the traditional version of their property deed through the 'Amlak' platform. Dr Moamen bin Abdullah al Busaidy, Adviser to the Minister for Smart Cities, emphasised the significance of the launch, stating: 'This is a critical step towards a fully digital ownership system. Our ambition is for the majority of the public to adopt electronic title deeds by the end of next year. It will save both time and effort for users, who previously had to physically visit various service locations.' Dr Al Busaidy added that the ministry is currently developing smart services designed to anticipate citizens' needs and deliver information and entitlements proactively — without requiring formal requests. Future enhancements will also enable mobile access to services and real-time interactions with intelligent data systems, further reducing the need to contact support staff directly. Dr Rashid bin Mohammed al Ghilani, CEO of the Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (Oneic), which is partnering with the ministry on the project, commented: 'This strategic collaboration marks a transformative milestone in Oman's digital journey. We are committed to delivering secure and efficient technological solutions that enhance citizen experience and drive public sector innovation. We are proud of the trust placed in us by the ministry and look forward to further partnerships in line with Oman Vision 2040. To maximise accessibility and inclusivity, the new service will gradually be rolled out across more than 300 locations. These include all ministry service halls, Oneic branches and self-service kiosks operating around the clock in all governorates. This expansive rollout is expected to improve operational efficiency and raise customer satisfaction levels to 95 per cent.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation plans new road along Valankulam bund
Coimbatore Corporation has proposed opening a new road along the Valankulam bund to create an alternate route for vehicles travelling from Lanka Corner to Ukkadam. Originally developed as a pedestrian pathway under the Smart Cities Mission, the bund-side track is now being considered for partial conversion into a one-way road. The stretch starts opposite the two-wheeler parking lot near the Lanka Corner railway bridge, runs alongside the lake, and ends at the Vincent Road junction near the Ukkadam–Sungam bypass, covering approximately two kilometres. According to a senior Corporation official, the pathway was created during Smart Cities works and lies adjacent to a local sewage canal that feeds Valankulam. Encroachments along the canal, including 11 commercial structures, have been removed. Households along the stretch will be relocated to alternate housing, enabling the Corporation to restore the full 10-metre width of the road. Once completed, the road is planned to carry one-way traffic from Lanka Corner to Ukkadam. The proposal has been submitted to the District Road Safety Committee and the city traffic police. Once approved, the road will be paved and opened to traffic. Officials said this would help decongest Vincent Road and reduce pressure at the Town Hall junction.
Mint
15-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
CAG to deploy AI, machine learning for faster, accurate audits
New Delhi: India's apex auditor will integrate generative AI, machine learning and optical character recognition into its processes to fast-track work and reduce manual burden, according to two deputy heads of the federal auditing body. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will use these tools for voucher verification and risk detection and will expand remote and hybrid audits in complex revenue areas such as goods and services tax, stamp duty and public works, deputy CAGs A.M. Bajaj and K.S. Subramanian said in an interview. These technologies are expected to significantly reduce manual workload, enhance anomaly detection, and enable predictive identification of high-risk areas, making audits more focused and data-driven, they said. Also read: GDP's dirty little secret: Why we should be tracking GVA instead CAG is reshaping audit practices to match the complexity of India's growing economy and sprawling governance structure. With over 700 central public sector units, 1,600 state enterprises, 485 central autonomous bodies and thousands of panchayats and urban local bodies now under its jurisdiction, the federal auditor is adapting to not just the size, but also the changing nature of public service delivery, they said. The CAG is conducting multi-state audits on key welfare and infrastructure areas, including solid-waste management in urban bodies, welfare of construction workers, management of District Mineral Funds, implementation of rural jobs guarantee programme, functioning of regional transport offices and the Jal Jeevan Mission. All-India audits covering the Green India Mission, Smart Cities, MSME support and skill development are also underway and are expected to be completed by mid-2025. These audits aim to assess how effectively these national initiatives are delivering measurable benefits to citizens and improving their lives. For the first time, the CAG has institutionalized stakeholder consultations at all stages of the audit cycle from planning to reporting, said Bajaj. 'We've made it mandatory to consult the Secretary, senior officials, academia, and civil society while finalising the Annual Audit Plan and audit reports. This inclusive process helps ensure our audits are grounded in real issues and deliver meaningful value to both institutions and citizens," Subramanian added. Also read: You're absolutely right, as the AI chatbot says Dattesh Parulekar, assistant professor of International Relations at Goa University, said, 'The CAG's digital-first and stakeholder-led approach signals a decisive shift from traditional compliance checks to dynamic, technology-enabled, performance-linked audits. If sustained, this could mark a new era in public accountability—where audit reports not only flag inefficiencies but help shape more responsive governance." Focus on training Training remains central to this revamp. The CAG has signed eight memoranda of understanding with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the Indian Institution of Management Ahmedabad, Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics and the National Institute of Urban Affairs to co-develop specialised curricula. 'For capacity building, we are training audit staff in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and public policy at top institutes, including a nationwide boot camp on AI and machine learning for audit at IIT Delhi," said Bajaj. A nine-month AI and cybersecurity diploma programme is already underway at IIT-Madras for CAG officers, with modules on environmental audit, ESG reporting, procurement, and non-cognitive skills running in parallel across various centres, said Subramanian. Also read: Bengaluru shocker: Driver runs away with employer's ₹1.5 crore, spends on family and donates at temples The CAG submits audit reports to the President or governors, which are then tabled in Parliament or state legislatures. These reports have historically played a key role in ensuring financial accountability and transparency in governance, uncovering issues from expenditure irregularities and poor scheme implementation to systemic inefficiencies. These audits have led to policy reforms, public debates, and accountability at the highest levels.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's smart cities streets ahead, but same AI challenges apply the world over
Each night in the darkest hours, a fleet of drones patrols the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, watching over potentially dodgy areas such as underground station exits and the riverside to deter any would-be criminals. Advertisement The nightly routine has been operating since last year, according to a report published in April by the city's police bureau, which detailed its use of artificial intelligence to plan patrol routes. According to the report, the AI puts a laser focus on patrolling Nanjing's blind spots – the areas generally ignored by human patrols. The city's experience is part of China's efforts to scale up the use of AI in urban management, to better handle complex challenges brought by the massive scale of city life and rapid urbanisation. The Chinese leadership has long viewed AI as a tool for transforming the economy and refining its governance, launching the 'smart cities' initiative and other programmes over the past decade. Advertisement Despite this rapid progress, analysts warned that China's AI governance faces challenges – including privacy protection and limited community involvement – that are mirrored in other parts of the world as governments race to adopt the technology.
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Smart Cities Council and IFZA partner to drive cross-border innovation at Smart Cities Summit North America 2025
DUBAI, UAE – At the recently concluded Smart Cities Summit North America 2025, the Smart City Council (SCC) and IFZA (International Free Zone Authority), Dubai's leading Free Zone community, came together to advance a shared vision for innovation. As the key partner for the event, IFZA helped steer conversations toward building more inclusive, sustainable, and connected cities - starting with Dubai and reaching across international markets. Held in San Francisco, the summit brought together more than 450 senior leaders in government, business, and academia under the theme 'Public Safety, AI, and the Middle East in Focus.' Through keynote sessions, IFZA shared insights on how smart cities and free zones intersect as engines of social transformation through economic innovation, a principle deeply aligned with SCC's mission. 'Dubai represents more than just an economic opportunity; it represents a vision of what future cities can be,' said Holger Schlechter, CFO of IFZA. 'As Smart Cities Council partners, we are proud to champion this vision by building meaningful connections, sharing global insights, and opening new pathways for international tech entrepreneurs. This collaboration reflects the growing synergy between the United States and the UAE across diverse industries - and we believe Dubai offers the ideal platform for American innovators to bring their smart city solutions to life in Dubai and beyond.' Smart Cities Council and IFZA also announced two joint venture organisations, Smart Cities Council Middle East, to support the rapidly increasing demand for smart city solutions across the Middle East, and Smart Cities Academy™, a platform focused on smart city education and training. 'Our collaboration with IFZA marks a new chapter in how smart cities are imagined and built across borders,' said Corey Gray, President of Smart Cities Council. 'By connecting Silicon Valley's innovation with Dubai's dynamic business environment, we aim to create a powerful launchpad for entrepreneurs to test, adapt, and deploy their smart solutions globally. The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for urban innovation, and through our solutions, we aim to equip governments, and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in a smarter, more sustainable future.' Dubai, ranked 4th globally in the 2025 IMD Smart Cities Index, is already a benchmark for smart urban development, with world-class infrastructure, digital public services, and forward-looking policies. As a launching pad for transformative regional projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia and New Cairo in Egypt, it provides international innovators with immediate access to high-growth opportunities across the Middle East. IFZA also announced the launch of Scale360, an open innovation platform based in Dubai designed to connect global startups with corporate partners, investors, and market access. Developed in partnership with Plug and Play, Scale360 reflects IFZA's growing role in supporting not just business setup, but business transformation. IFZA was created to be a platform where entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals come together, do business and thrive - not just by removing barriers to entry, but by building bridges to global markets for businesses, and eventually nations. IFZA believes in the power of business to connect and bring people together, cross borders, and create opportunities that unite individuals around shared goals. There is no better place for this vision to become a reality than the UAE due to the future-oriented mindset of its Government and leaders. Through its role as SCC's partner, IFZA aims to bridge Silicon Valley and Dubai, connecting entrepreneurs and ecosystems. At the summit, IFZA highlighted the evolving UAE–US relationship, built on shared priorities in diverse sectors. With over 1,500 American companies already active in the UAE- including Microsoft, Uber, and Cleveland Clinic - and 75% of the UAE's GDP now driven by non-oil sectors, Dubai has become a natural destination for American businesses that want to grow fast, stay agile, and lead globally. Participation at the summit marks the beginning of IFZA's US strategic engagement roadmap, which includes upcoming events such as Deep Tech Week San Francisco (June 2025) and the flagship Deep Tech Week Dubai (November 2025). About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@
