The municipality of the future will be radically redefined by current transformative technologies, including AI, robotics, IoT, smart infrastructure, open data systems, and autonomous and electric vehicles. One of the most pressing issues facing any city is how much the future will be shaped by the companies driving the technology, and how much by the municipalities themselves through planning and adoption frameworks.

Canadian municipalities of all sizes are in the nascent phase of a complex and potentially confusing journey toward the "smart city." As municipalities pilot and deploy connected infrastructure projects in partnership with technology providers/partners, they will face new challenges that current policy and legal frameworks are not yet fully equipped to address. These include implementation logistics, obligations regarding cybersecurity and the use of citizens' data, contractual arrangements between municipalities and technology providers/partners, and how municipalities will manage associated risks and liabilities.

To better understand the legal frameworks that will need to be put in place to address the municipality of the future, we assembled a round table of experts from a few of the larger Canadian municipalities, technology providers and other organizations whose mandates directly address these areas. The result is a dynamic three-part conversation that examines what it takes to progress from pilots to a well-regulated vision of the complete smart city.

Change is coming, but who will be in the driver's seat?

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