Cities that use AI manage data, others manage consequences

Recently, an Intelligent Transport System was implemented on the streets of Split, which is considered one of the most modern in this part of Europe, significantly reducing traffic congestion and greatly improving the safety and quality of life for all citizens. Behind this technological breakthrough is the domestic company King ICT, and Matija Mandić, the director of the Integrated Security and Smart Systems Sector, explains in detail the project that has launched Split to the forefront of European smart cities and presents the vision for the company’s further strategic development.

You recently completed the ITS system in Split. What are its most important features?

– This is a comprehensive design & build- project through which we have built the complete technological backbone for traffic management in the city, from infrastructure to the intelligent control layer. The project includes high-availability IT infrastructure, an optical communication network, a new generation of traffic signal devices, an AI video analytics camera system, an air quality monitoring system, variable traffic signs, passenger information applications, and a central management system. The key change is in the way traffic is managed. Traffic lights no longer operate according to predefined programs but adapt in real-time to conditions on the ground. The system analyzes traffic volume, queue lengths, and the load on individual directions and automatically optimizes signal plans. The result is smoother traffic flow, fewer stops, and more efficient use of existing infrastructure. The system also prioritizes public transport and emergency services, integrates video surveillance with analytics, air quality data, and information channels for citizens.

What other projects, besides ITS, are you applying AI to solve specific problems in cities?

– Artificial intelligence today is an operational tool, not a futuristic addition to the system. We apply it in traffic, utility systems, public space management, and security. For example, smart cameras can detect illegal waste disposal, recognize the type of waste, and automatically generate reports to the relevant authorities. In protected urban cores, the system can register violations of municipal regulations. However, the real value of the technology is not in surveillance but in timely alerts and prioritization of incidents. The key is in automation: the system identifies the problem, categorizes it, and in real-time forwards it to the responsible service. This allows city services to move from reactive to proactive management. Cities that use AI manage data and processes. Those that do not use it manage consequences.

What are the advantages of using AI in the digitization of urban infrastructure compared to traditional systems?

– Cities today are not without data; they are overwhelmed with data. The key advantage of AI is that it turns data into decisions. It filters out irrelevant information, recognizes patterns, and connects data from different systems – traffic, utility services, and security – into a unified picture of the city’s state. Traditional systems react when an event has already occurred. AI systems analyze trends, identify risky situations, and enable predictive management. In other words, AI allows cities to allocate resources smarter, reduce intervention costs, and provide a higher level of service to citizens without necessarily increasing infrastructure.

What sets King ICT apart from domestic and foreign competitors in the field of smart city- solutions?

– Our advantage is the ability for complex integration. We do not deliver isolated components but build comprehensive integrated systems that connect infrastructure, software, AI, and our own hardware. This ability to connect different technological layers makes a difference compared to classic integrators or manufacturers of individual solutions. We have also developed our own integration device, the Fusion Edge Device, which, in addition to protecting equipment in outdoor cabinets and monitoring working conditions, connects AI video analytics cameras and traffic signalization in real-time. Such solutions have already been implemented in Zagreb, Split, and other cities.

How do you plan to expand your portfolio and which markets are you focusing on?

– We are focused on applying a new generation of multimodal AI systems that combine video, sound, and other sensor data into a unified operational model for managing the city. Our goal is to enable cities to see, hear, and understand what is happening in the spaces they manage in almost real-time and to react before a problem escalates. The next phase of development is aimed at predictive and partially autonomous systems that will suggest and automatically implement optimal operational decisions. The European Union is our first market, as the regulatory framework and investment cycles encourage smart and sustainable mobility. However, the technology we are developing has no regional limitations; it is designed globally, scalable, and adaptable to different urban ecosystems. In the field of AI application in traffic and security, we do not want to be just a regional player. We are playing in a serious Champions League, and the interest of European cities confirms this, and this is just the beginning.