Iran (IMNA) - Scientific research in Isfahan leads directly to action, and the outcomes feed right back into the next round of strategy and policy. That’s where real skill comes in and turns innovation from a buzzword into something you see and feel in everyday city life, not just in academic papers or high-tech labs.
From Research to Practice
When considering the global scene, Iran ranked 70th in AI research. However, in terms of actually putting AI into practice, the country gets around the 17th. That gap represents that researchers are still catching up and implementing AI in their projects. There’s clear progress, but still plenty of ground to cover on the way to smart urban systems.
You can see the focus everywhere, from national policies to local projects. Officials at every level are pushing hard for smart transformation and digital innovation. Here’s the core idea: get all the cities working together at a reasonable pace and ensure that progress remains balanced and connected. Think about those annoying city smart cards that don’t work if you go from Tehran to Shiraz or Mashhad. It’s such a waste of time, in a real sense. This new framework steps in to solve that, so smart city living works no matter where you are. Once cities adopt this connected evaluation model, they’ll have a clear set of standards to measure progress and an easy way to swap ideas across the country.
Isfahan’s Four Innovation Pillars
Let’s look closer at Isfahan’s smart game plan. Municipal leaders picked three big areas to focus on: artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and tourism. Now there’s a fourth—family-oriented development. Still, AI stands out. Isfahan aims to lead the country in AI research, real-world applications, and teaching.
But they’re not just chasing tech for tech’s sake. Getting people involved is part of the blueprint. Local officials have started rolling out educational programs and webinars on AI, working together at both the provincial and city levels.
But it’s not just about building tech. Public engagement is central to this plan. Provincial and municipal authorities have teamed up to launch educational programs and webinars on AI. After running four specialized online sessions in September, they kicked off a monthly event series in October called “Me and Artificial Intelligence.” Every month, residents receive new learning materials and a hands-on assignment so they can use AI in their daily lives. All these efforts push AI from theory into daily routines, making it something people experience, not just read about.
Over the last two years, Isfahan’s city administration has shaped a solid framework for smart city development. This work led to two big achievements: the “My Isfahan” citizen platform and the Smart Isfahan Management Hub. Think of them as two sides to the city’s smart ecosystem—one for citizen services, the other for data-driven management.
Through the My Isfahan website and mobile app, locals can tap into over 200 online services on the web and more than 60 on their phones. They handle everything from tax payments and service requests to public reporting. What really made these platforms work is the city’s digital literacy campaigns, which pulled more people in and raised satisfaction across the board.
Isfahan Builds the Backbone of Iran’s Smart Future
Once cities adopt this evaluation model, they’ll have a clear set of standards to measure progress and an easy way to swap ideas across the country. On a bigger scale, the National Fiber Optic Network stands out as a major push for smart urban growth. It’s the backbone for digital infrastructure. The previous administration kicked it off, and now the current one’s taking it further, with operators, the Telecommunications Company of Iran, and municipalities all working together.
Zooming in on the provincial level, Isfahan has staked out three main innovation goals: artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and tourism. Lately, they’ve added a fourth—family-oriented development. Out of these, AI takes center stage. Isfahan wants to become the top spot for AI research, application, and education in the country.
But it’s not just about building tech. Public engagement is central to this plan. Provincial and municipal authorities have teamed up to launch educational programs and webinars on AI. After running four specialized online sessions in September, they kicked off a monthly event series in October called “Me and Artificial Intelligence.” Every month, residents receive new learning materials and a hands-on assignment so they can use AI in their daily lives. All these efforts push AI from theory into daily routines, making it something people experience, not just read about.
Over the last two years, Isfahan’s city administration has shaped a solid framework for smart city development. This work led to two big achievements: the “My Isfahan” citizen platform and the Smart Isfahan Management Hub. Think of them as two sides to the city’s smart ecosystem—one for citizen services, the other for data-driven management.
Through the My Isfahan website and mobile app, locals can tap into over 200 online services on the web and more than 60 on their phones. They handle everything from tax payments and service requests to public reporting. What really made these platforms work is the city’s digital literacy campaigns, which pulled more people in and raised satisfaction across the board.
Smart Isfahan Club: Citizens at the Center
The Smart Isfahan Club takes the next step in making this vision a reality. The club isn’t just about spreading information, but about giving people the tools and confidence to try smart practices in their everyday lives. Everything runs in three phases: first, raising awareness; second, building up skills; and finally, integrating these new habits into the city’s culture.
The city isn’t holding back. By year’s end, they plan to have trained 10,000 residents ready to take part in Isfahan’s digital transformation. Anyone can join the Smart Isfahan Club through the My Isfahan app, which unlocks free AI webinars, monthly challenges, and public events.
This isn’t just about tech for tech’s sake. By bringing together infrastructure, education, and real engagement, Isfahan aims to lead the way in smart urban development in Iran—pushing forward to build a city that’s connected, data-driven, and open to everyone.
Your Comment