Seeding an AI for urban resilience movement

In 2024, IBM announced a significant investment in technology-enabled urban resilience innovations, committing up to $45 million in cash and in-kind donations through a Request for Proposals (RFP). This initiative aims to assist nonprofit and government projects focused on city resiliency and urban climate adaptation, marking a 50% boost in funding for the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. The Accelerator leverages IBM watsonx, an AI and data platform, along with AI assistants, to support populations vulnerable to environmental threats globally. Projects will be selected based on alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on making cities safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, Ernst and Young will provide consulting support to program participants with the goal of enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of the funded projects.

Building on a strategy from 2010 that helped launch the smart cities movement, when IBM underwrote more than 100 demonstration projects worldwide through the Smarter Cities Challenge, the company is now undertaking an important education campaign. This campaign aims to help mayors and other civic leaders understand the potential of AI for climate resilience and adaptation. As these projects are delivered and documented, they will provide valuable models and lessons for future innovative applications of AI in urban resilience.