## 3 The Smart City Paradigm  
There exist multiple definitions of the smart city [15; 39; 40; 41]. The term \"smart city\" is often used interchangeably with other terms such as \"intelligent city\", \"knowledgeable city\", and \"digital city\". This has resulted in diverse theoretical choices for the smart city concept [4]. The term \"smart city\" is an ambiguous concept used in multiple ways. There is no specific template for defining the smart city, nor is there a unique definition that is universally accepted [42; 43]. Smart city concepts emerged as a response to the challenges posed by urbanization and the need for sustainable urban development. Integrating various technologies, such as the IoT, AI, and big data analytics, aims to improve the efficiency of urban services, reduce resource consumption, and elevate the standard of living, which can lead to an improved quality of life for citizens. Technological development has advanced so much that a modern smart city can collect data from various applications, such as smart agriculture, smart industry, smart farming, smart health care, smart traffic, and smart pedestrians, and then analyze and integrate critical data to provide a decision for an improved standard of life [44]. The rapid development of the IoT [45; 46], cloud computing technologies [47; 48], and AI [49; 50] could be vital factors in improving urban facilities' performance, quality, and interactivity, which is going to decrease management costs and enhance skills. While the definition of a smart city can vary, there are generally two distinct approaches based on the key areas a smart city should focus on. In the first trend, smart city definitions emphasize a single urban feature, such as technology or ecology, while leaving the rest of the features of a city included. The definitions do not consider the primary aim of a smart city, which is to introduce a novel framework for managing urban areas and assessing the interconnectedness of various components within an urban ecosystem. Focusing solely on the development of a single aspect of an urban system does not necessarily imply that the problems of the entire system can be overcome. It is important to consider the interconnectedness of all urban characteristics to tackle modern cities' challenges and ensure a thorough and effective approach [51; 52; 53]. Under a different set of definitions, the focus is on how the smart-city concept represents a comprehensive approach that considers all urban features integral parts of a system. This approach emphasizes that the smart city is a new methodology for organizing and developing a city, which considers economic,  
Figure 4: An overview of the methodology for introducing applications in a smart city through integrating IoT and AI. technological, and social factors to ensure the stability and sustainability of the urban system as a whole. The descriptions suggest a comprehensive approach to urban issues that leverages new technologies, allowing for a redefinition of the smart city model and the relationships between its stakeholders [54; 55; 56; 57; 58]. Table 1 summarizes the definitions of the smart city. The characteristics of a smart city can be defined as follows:  
* The integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data analytics to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and the overall well-being of citizens. * Implementing renewable energy sources, eco-friendly buildings, intelligent transportation systems, electric vehicles, and efficient traffic management. Moreover, the platform provides insights into various aspects of a smart city, including energy management, smart homes, optimized transportation, smart grid systems, water monitoring, waste management, and streamlined administration. These initiatives aim to monitor existing infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for urban residents. * Emphasis on citizen engagement and active participation through open data initiatives and digital platforms, fostering transparency and collaboration between citizens and the government.