Cities Racing to Stay Ahead in the AI Era

LondonTue Sep 09 2025
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The world is changing fast, and cities are trying to keep up. With AI becoming more common, many jobs are at risk. Some jobs, like middle managers and entry-level positions, are already disappearing. Cities are now focusing on creating jobs that can't be easily replaced by machines or are at the forefront of new technology. Frontier innovation is all about big, risky ideas that can change industries or create new ones. For example, Lila Sciences uses AI to speed up research. Other companies are working on quantum computing and fusion power. Cities like London and Abu Dhabi are trying to become leaders in these areas. But how are cities doing this? Some, like Silicon Valley and Cambridge, have become innovation hubs because of their schools, culture, and investment. Others, like Shenzhen, have government support to build infrastructure and provide funding. Not every city can do this, but they can still support innovators and connect them with investors and talent. There are challenges, though. Some projects need a lot of space, and not every idea will succeed. Also, these new jobs might not be enough to help everyone. Cities need to focus on more than just innovation. They need to create spaces for people to interact and provide education and training. In the end, cities need to balance innovation with strategies that include everyone. As AI becomes more common, it will be clear which cities are ahead of the curve.