Navigating the Future: David Ly on AI, Smart Cities, and the Road Ahead

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries, reimagining urban systems, and redefining human interactions. David Ly, CEO of Iveda, offers a unique perspective on how AI can address critical challenges while driving innovation and efficiency. In our recent interview, Ly outlined the trends shaping smart cities, ethical AI adoption, and the transformative potential of technology in 2025 and beyond.

Stop-and-Go AI: A Cautious Path Forward

As AI adoption accelerates, David Ly predicts a "stop-and-go" approach where cities strategically pause to address ethical and operational challenges before advancing. "Municipalities want to ensure the technology integrates smoothly into existing frameworks," Ly explains. By carefully managing these rollouts, cities can mitigate risks, improve transparency, and build trust with their communities.

This approach reflects broader societal apprehensions about AI's implications. Ly highlights the role of AI in improving efficiency, but he also acknowledges the infrastructure gaps that still need to be addressed. "We’re getting data a lot sooner and quicker," Ly says, "but there’s still the challenge of figuring out how to respond to and manage all this." For cities, this means embracing innovation while taking the time to implement solutions thoughtfully and sustainably.

Smart Cities Move From Reactive to Proactive

A significant shift in AI's application to urban environments lies in moving from reactive to proactive systems. Ly highlights flood detection in the Philippines as an example of AI’s potential to predict and prevent disasters. "Instead of relying on outdated methods like painted poles to measure water levels, AI now uses video and real-time pattern recognition to provide early warnings," Ly explains.

This proactive mindset applies to other areas, too. For instance, Ly points to smart parking systems in Taiwan, where dense populations necessitate automation. "When you’re in a city of millions, efficiency isn’t optional—it’s critical," Ly notes. He envisions a future where AI enables cities to anticipate and mitigate challenges in areas like traffic management, energy use, and emergency response, saving resources and improving quality of life.

Invisible AI: Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

One of the most transformative trends in smart cities is the rise of "invisible" AI technology, which seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure. Ly describes how retrofitting current systems—such as installing AI software on existing cameras—can extract tremendous value without the need for costly upgrades.

This approach reduces barriers to entry for smaller municipalities, making advanced AI solutions more accessible. "In Chandler and Mesa, Arizona, we don’t have the population density of Tokyo or Taipei," Ly says, "but AI can still optimize our systems without requiring extensive new infrastructure." The shift toward invisible AI demonstrates that technology can be both innovative and economical, catering to diverse urban environments.

Low-Bandwidth, High-Impact Solutions

David Ly emphasizes that AI is no longer exclusive to large, resource-rich cities. Innovations in edge computing and low-bandwidth solutions enable high-impact AI applications to operate efficiently even in rural or underserved areas. "Today’s technology doesn’t require the heavy infrastructure it once did," Ly explains. "This levels the playing field for smaller towns and municipalities."

An example Ly highlights is vehicle counting, which once required physical sensors and extensive setup. "Now, a single existing camera can track not only the number of vehicles but their make, model, and even the impact of weather on traffic patterns," Ly notes. These capabilities, achievable without major upgrades, showcase how AI is transforming data collection into actionable insights.

Digital Twins: The Virtual Test Bed for Urban Innovation

Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical systems—are revolutionizing urban planning by allowing cities to test policies and infrastructure changes in a risk-free environment. Ly describes these virtual models as "safe testing grounds" for complex scenarios like traffic optimization or disaster readiness.

"Think about traffic modeling," Ly says. "We can use historical data to create simulations that help planners see the effects of new policies before they’re implemented." These insights enable cities to make more informed decisions, ensuring that new developments align with both current needs and future goals. Ly emphasizes that this approach is not limited to urban planning—it can be applied across industries, from manufacturing to logistics.

AI and Human Oversight: A Collaborative Future

While AI is enabling remarkable advances, Ly underscores the continued importance of human oversight in its implementation. "Think of AI as a new team member—it still needs guidance, supervision, and adaptation to succeed," he says. This collaborative approach ensures that AI systems remain flexible and responsive to evolving needs.

Ly also dispels the fear that AI will replace human workers. "In practice, AI doesn’t eliminate jobs; it enhances them," he notes. "There’s always process improvement required, and that’s where human expertise comes in." This interplay between automation and human reasoning ensures that AI remains a tool for empowerment, not replacement.

Looking Forward

David Ly’s insights illuminate the potential of AI to transform cities into more efficient, inclusive, and resilient communities. From ethical rollouts to predictive urban management, AI’s future lies not just in its technological capabilities but in how thoughtfully it is adopted.

"This stuff works, and it works well," Ly says. "But its true success depends on how we adapt and evolve with it." As cities worldwide take their first steps into this transformative era, leaders like David Ly remind us that innovation is as much about responsibility as it is about progress.

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