In this episode, we dive into the world of Smart City IoT and explore the intriguing possibilities of the metaverse with Teppo Rantanen, the Executive Director at the City of Tampere, Finland.

Discover how Tampere is pioneering urban innovation through projects like educational robots, data-driven city planning, and immersive metaverse experiences aimed at enhancing urban life.

European cities face unique challenges in implementing innovative solutions. With BABLE Smart Cities, we're cutting through the complexity, offering a streamlined approach to procuring urban innovations 50% faster and 20% more cost-efficient. Learn more about our Navigating the Innovation Market offering by visiting the BABLE Knowledge Hub today.

Overview of the episode:

[00:01:41] Teaser Question: Outside of its practical implementations, what's the most fun or whimsical use of technology seen in Tampere's Smart City projects?

[00:03:06] Background of Teppo Rantanen: What led Teppo Rantanen to his role in Smart City initiatives in Tampere?

[00:04:53] Overview of Smart Tampere: How was the Smart Tampere programme developed, and what does it aim to achieve?

[00:06:07] Flagship Programs and Projects: What are some of the flagship programmes and projects in Tampere, and how do they impact the city?

[00:10:16] Application of AI in Social Contexts: How is AI used in Tampere to improve social services and job matching?

[00:12:28] Exploring the Metaverse: What is Tampere's approach to integrating the metaverse with real-life city functions?

[00:14:50] Metaverse Applications for Cities: How can cities utilise the metaverse for infrastructure, services, and community engagement?

[00:18:22] Advice on Navigating the Metaverse: What advice does Teppo have for cities interested in exploring the metaverse?

[00:21:29] Challenges and Ethical Considerations: What are the ethical considerations and challenges in utilising data and the metaverse in city management?

[00:29:21] Segment - Roll with the Punches: Our guest answers 'this or that' questions quickly and with their first instincts.

[00:32:41] Ending Question: "To you, what is a Smart City?"

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