The Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Communities? conference is organised in Tampere, one of the forerunners in the digital transformation. As digital innovations continue to reshape urban environments, enormous opportunities and various challenges arise. The city of Tampere collaborates in extensive international networks with a human-centric perspective toward a city where smart technologies and AI will increasingly enable seamless interaction between the physical and virtual worlds, adding value to citizens’ everyday lives. Tampere is collaborating closely together with businesses, research organisations, communities and the members of the OASC network. Such partnerships underline the importance of inclusive, progressive and technology-driven urban development.