Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Open Access Publishing
Not a member yet
674 research outputs found
Sort by
Aplicarea inteligenței artificiale în procesele de luare a deciziilor la nivelul Uniunii Europene
Get PDFÎn contextul globalizării și al evoluției rapide a tehnologiei, Inteligența Artificială a devenit un instrument cu un impact din ce în ce mai semnificativ asupra societății, economiei și politicii. Cu toate acestea, există încă o reticență în ceea ce privește implementarea sa în domeniile care au un impact direct asupra cetățenilor, cum ar fi sănătatea, educația, serviciile publice și administrația, datorită provocărilor legate de etică, transparență și securitate. Cercetarea asupra modului în care Inteligența Artificială poate fi implementată în procesul de luare a deciziilor la nivelul Uniunii Europene este esențială atât pentru comunitatea europeană, cât și pentru autoritățile publice, având în vedere complexitatea subiectului și posibilitatea de a fi abordat din multiple perspective – juridică, politică și etică. În ultimii ani, Uniunea Europeană a început deja demersurile în vederea digitalizării administrației publice, Inteligența Artificială fiind o soluție promițătoare pentru optimizarea deciziilor politice, precum și în analizarea și gestionarea eficientă a volumului mare de date. Astfel, utilizarea AI nu a rămas doar la statutul de idee, în iunie 2024 fiind semnat „EU AI Act”, prima lege cuprinzătoare pentru AI din lume. Legea oferă atât o clasificare a sistemelor de AI și a reglementărilor aferente în funcție de gradul de risc, însă în continuare promovează beneficiile utilizării AI într-o manieră responsabilă și etică. Oportunitățile și provocările legate de integrarea AI rămân subiecte de dezbatere, cert fiind faptul că un cadru legislativ este absolut necesar pentru a păstra siguranța și transparența procesului decizional
Smart military bases – a future trend for smarter states
Get PDFOne main characteristic of the Forth Industrial Revolution is represented by an unprecedental revolution in `smart` devices and their interconnectivity to networks in order to improve our lives. Taking the model of smart cities, which have been adopting advanced technologies for years, the military decision-makers started to reconsider the role and functions of military bases, especialy the forward operating ones (FOB) and those necessary to deploy. Therefore, this paper will analyse how these smart military bases should look like in the medium and long terms to face all current and future risks and threats a headquarters or capability might encounter in the modern operating environment. These aspects include the critical insfrastructure and required joint functions linked in a network and connected to a smart city, when possible. In order to do so, the approach is based on a multidimensional analysis of what have been developed so far in NATO and some Western military, their best practices and research programmes and where thei stend for now. The paper’s implication is for Romanian defence authorities and reserachers, because it highlights the necessary steps and measures to establish such type of military bases. As a result, this paper will present to the military decision-makers some clear ideas of the necessity to have such critical military infrastructure inside the Romanian Armed Forces until 2040, as well as the ways forward to develop and experimentate them. This endeavor will ensure originality of the paper and its unicity in the military domain
sVTOL and eVTOL technologies in Romania: Assessing awareness, concerns, and adoption potential in smart urban mobility
Get PDFThe advancement of smart urban mobility solutions such as Short Vertical Take-Off and Landing (sVTOL) and Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) technologies presents transformative opportunities for modern cities, as the concentration of the world’s population continues to shift from rural areas to urban centers. However, the acceptance and openness of the general public toward these innovations are crucial for their successful implementation. As the European Union places a significant focus on smart cities and on urban air mobility, this paper investigates the perception and level of knowledge of Romanian citizens\u27 of sVTOL and eVTOL technologies. Using a questionnaire-based survey, this study assesses the level of awareness, perceived benefits, and concerns associated with smart urban mobility technologies in Romania. The primary objective is to evaluate not only the level of knowledge on fundamental aspects of air mobility and emerging technologies but also to gauge the potential interest in adopting such technologies. The research was conducted online across Romania to capture diverse perspectives.The findings of this study reveal a general reluctance towards emerging air mobility technologies, primarily due to concerns about safety, the challenges of implementing such innovations in Romania, and their perceived limited impact. Additionally, sVTOL and eVTOL technologies are often viewed as more appropriate for search and rescue operations in hard-to-reach areas, rather than for widespread urban use. This study is part of broader research on the feasibility of sVTOL and eVTOL as viable components of Romania’s future urban air mobility ecosystem, it provides valuable insights into the public\u27s readiness to embrace these innovations and highlights areas where public perception may need to be addressed to foster adoption
An assessment of advanced digital government readiness and related ethical concerns in Romania in the EU digital decade. From missed opportunities to silver linings
Get PDFObjectives This paper attempts to take stock of the realities of digital government in Romania, its ethical considerations in the context of the EU Digital Decade and identify possible remedies..Prior work The current investigation builds on the premises of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and links the theoretical and empirical research in the field with the contemporary developments of public management. Approach The paper bridges the theoretical and empirical research in the field of e-government with a comparative analysis of successful e-government services to reveal the best avenues for e-government development in Romania. Results This study presents theoretical and practical insights supporting the implementation of valuable and appropriate e-government solutions in Romania. Implications Given the objectives of the inquiry, its implications will primarily concern public management practice and Value This exploration provides a novel perspective on the existing challenges and solutions in digital government based on an overarching scientific analysis of up-to-date information and data
Exploring the impact of the AI classroom on students’ analytical and creative skills
Get PDFObjectives: This text proposes a preliminary examination of the envisaged effects of AI teaching technology on student skill development. Prior work: The paper reviews the limited theoretical and empirical literature in the field, assessing limitations and possible future research trends. Approach: The current study employs a literature review method. Results: The outcomes of the review reveal research gaps, inconclusive empirical evidence and research trends. Implications: The expected implications of the investigation are theoretical, and future research avenues will be revealed. Value: The literature concerning AI teaching solutions is limited, and new insights that are still being developed can add value to the extant body of work
Cities at crossroads of sustainable transitions
Get PDFObjectives. The study aims to elucidate how cities contribute to shaping urban sustainability transitions fopr urban social growth. Prior work. Cities are dealing with urban sustainability transitions bridging theory of urban sustainability and practices that make wealthy urban spaces meeting the needs of urban communities without compromising the wealth of future generations. Sustainability transitions rely on responsible urban communities that develop conditions for making cities sustainable communities. Approach. The study is following a qualitative approach and framework, by identifying views and choices that cities are embracing in order to encourage responsible behaviors and actions that enable urban transformation. Results. Cities are playing a leading role for sustainable urban development enabling citizens as responsible actors in decision making that benefit urban communities. Implications. As agents of social change, cities should intentionally design and implement policies that contribute to social urban transformation and make healthy urban spaces within urban communities. Value. The sustainable future of urban communities relies on cities which are committed to promoting citizen behaviours for making healthy and environment-friendly urban spaces. Cities are always going in transition to develop itineraries for urban sustainability making and planning
Facial detection for border security
Get PDFFacial recognition has come a long way, evolving from simple image processing techniques to powerful AI-driven tools. In this article, we take a closer look at how these technologies, both classical and modern, can be used to support something as critical as border security. Our focus is on a practical application we developed, designed to verify a person’s identity by comparing their face to a database of known individuals. The system uses a combination of Haar cascade classifiers (a classic approach for face detection) and neural networks based on deep learning to improve accuracy and adaptability. Built with OpenCV, the application follows a straightforward process: a new face is uploaded, analysed, and either matched or flagged as unknown. What makes this work interesting is the balance it strikes between speed and reliability, qualities that are essential in a fast-paced border control setting. We show that even with lightweight tools, solid results can be achieved, and when combined with more advanced AI models, the system becomes even more robust. Our goal wasn’t just to explore the tech, but to show how these tools can be applied in real-world scenarios where security really matters. This study adds to the ongoing conversation around biometrics and AI, and we hope it sparks further exploration into how these technologies can help make borders safer and smarter
TIA- A smart psychometric analysis app for Albanian high school exams framework
Get PDFIn support of experts working on high school examinations in Albania, there have been prior studies and research highlighting the importance of psychometric analysis in standard setting for these exams. The State Matura process, initiated in 2006, has undergone several modifications, and since 2016, these results play a crucial role in determining university entry for students in Albania. TIA (Test Item Analysis) Shiny App is an inovative application designed to facilitate psychometric analysis in the development of Albanian high school final exams. The application improves professional decision-making by providing quick insights into item and exam performance empowering psychometricians and subject experts to make data-driven decisions. By integrating item statistics like difficulty and discrimination with flexible cut-score setting, it enhances the efficiency of exam scoring and evaluation processes. In addition, the application uses advanced classification techniques to identify similarities between items. The framework i, s versatile, supporting exams composed of only MCQs, only SAQs, or a combination of bothmaking it a valuable tool for various assessment scenarios. In addition it also offeres detailed item disctractor reports for MCQ items for promoting continuous improvement of exam quality. With comprehensive numeric reports and dynamic visual insights, the TIA-Smart Solution empowers psychometricians and educators to make informed, data-driven decisions effectively.
Hyperconnected horizons: decoding the digital sovereignty of european smart cities
Get PDFThis article explores the intersection of governance policies and technological advancements in the context of smart cities, engaging with the entwined concepts of smart cities and digital sovereignty within the European landscape. Employing a poststructuralist lens, it critically examines the ramifications of stringent regulations on the incorporation of innovative technologies in smart cities. The analysis navigates divergent national perspectives, emphasizing the tension between digital sovereignty and an open-market ethos. Through nuanced exploration and case studies, the article seeks to unravel the complexities inherent in reconciling these paradigms, offering insights for policymakers, urban planners, and technology stakeholders navigating the intricate terrain of Smart City development amid Europe\u27s pursuit of digital sovereignty. This succinct exploration contributes to academic discourse by fostering a critical dialogue around the intersectionality of technological innovation, governance, and urban development within the contemporary European context
The role of the Interreg Programmes in strengthening cyber security within the regions of the Republic of Moldova
Get PDFTo explore the role of Interreg programmes in strengthening cyber security in the regions of Moldova, which is an increasingly important aspect of national security, especially in regions prone to cyber threats. The work is based on the authors\u27 recent results published in international publications in previous years. The research is based on innovative concepts of digital economy aimed at developing smart villages. Drawing on European experience, accumulated good practices and case studies, the study highlights the importance of international cooperation and capacity building initiatives to reduce cyber risks and build cyber defence capabilities in Moldova. The results of the study highlight the importance of a framework for cross-border cooperation to promote a holistic approach to cybersecurity, integrate best practices and facilitate the sharing of expertise and resources between neighbouring countries. In the context of smart specialisation approaches, digital innovations in rural areas will reach consumers – local action groups – faster, creating synergies between national funds and international programmes at the regional level. Recommendations are made for policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders to further leverage European cross-border programmes to improve cybersecurity resilience and ensure a more secure digital environment in the regions. Implications: academics, researchers, practitioners, EU Commission, JRC. The value of this paper is derived from its examination of the influence of transregional programmes on the advancement of cyber resilience, the facilitation of information sharing, and the stimulation of interregional collaboration. Furthermore, it offers recommendations based on the analysed best practices for addressing cyber security challenges in the context of the specific development of the Republic of Moldova