# Prospects of Cybersecurity in Smart Cities
## 5 Discussion
Therefore, answering RQ2 requires considering that Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in processing and analyzing vast amounts of data to optimize services and infrastructure. AI's rapid evolution has revolutionized various aspects of smart cities, enabling them to make data-driven decisions, automate processes, and enhance citizen experiences. In transportation, AI-powered algorithms manage traffic flow, optimize public transportation routes, and predict maintenance needs for infrastructure [80]. In energy management, AI enables real-time monitoring, demand-response systems, and the optimization of energy consumption [81]. However, as smart cities become more reliant on AI-driven systems, their susceptibility to cyber threatsincreases significantly. Effectively, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into smart cities, it also exposes these urban environments to new cybersecurity challenges. Cyber threats pose significant risks, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruptions, privacy violations, and even physical harm [82; 83]. One significant concern is the potential for AI models to be manipulated, leading to biased decision-making or malicious actions. As stated by [PERSON] et al. [84], AI algorithms may be vulnerable to adversarial attacks, where malicious input data are crafted to deceive the model. Additionally, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [85] reveal that the centralization of data in smart cities presents a potential target for hackers seeking to steal sensitive information or hold it for ransom. Dealing with the challenges of standards and regulation in smart cities requires a collaborative and adaptive approach. Ensuring interoperability between the different systems and devices in a smart city is a challenge that must be considered in RQ2. [PERSON] [86] states that adopting open standards allows systems to communicate with each other efficiently, avoiding dependence on specific vendors and promoting healthy competition. In addition, standards also help to ensure data security and privacy. Importantly, smart cities involve a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, businesses, academic institutions, and citizens. Promoting and establishing mechanisms for dialog and collaboration among these stakeholders can be used to develop appropriate standards and regulations. Several approaches can be implemented in this field, such as the use of discussion forums, public consultations, and public-private partnerships [87; 88]. Citizens are also a key pillar in the implementation of smart cities. Citizen ethics are important because they influence people's behavior toward the use of these technologies and how they interact with the smart city environment. Ethical citizens use the technologies available in smart cities responsibly. This includes not using digital tools for illegal or harmful activities, respecting laws and regulations related to cybersecurity, and avoiding the misuse of others' personal data. Additionally, citizens' ethics can be promoted through educational programs and awareness about security in smart cities. According to [PERSON] [89], this involves disseminating information about the risks and benefits of the technologies used, the importance of data protection, and raising awareness about citizens' rights and responsibilities in a smart city environment. The strong technological interconnection in smart cities allows them to collect, analyze and share data efficiently, making it possible to operate and manage various urban aspects intelligently. However, the proliferation of new technologies and the need to have a highly integrated environment means that new security risks are continuously emerging. The research projects launched between 2022 and 2027 should not only address the main current security risks, but should identify new risks that may emerge in the next decade, which gives us relevant information to address RQ3.