Cities of the future could dispense quick, efficient services to citizens with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual worlds. The citiverse – a network of AI-powered virtual worlds integrated with brick-and-mortar urban streetscapes – could help shape the next generation of public goods and urban experience.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and key global partners have launched the first UN Citiverse Challenge, which champions a transformative approach to urban innovation, harnessing digital public infrastructure alongside technologies such as AI, virtual worlds, digital twins, and open-source solutions to reimagine cities as inclusive, resilient, and sustainable hubs of progress.
Three key themes – access to public services, sustainability and resilience, and tourism and digital culture – are at the forefront. The challenge seeks groundbreaking ideas and prototypes using cutting-edge technologies to foster a more connected and resilient world.
Announced at this week’s World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai, the UN Citiverse Challenge brings together governments, international organizations, cities, and academia to foster AI-driven virtual world solutions that promote sustainability, inclusion, and digital transformation, aligning with the objectives of the Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact adopted at the last UN General Assembly.
“Innovators entering our global competitions are creating tech solutions to improve lives in their communities and worldwide,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Our Citiverse Challenge will keep connecting the next generation of tech leaders with new partners to make AI and virtual worlds even more meaningful to sustainable development.”
Next-generation solutions needed
Students, startups, and innovators are invited to reimagine and design next-generation solutions that leverage AI, digital public infrastructure, and the citiverse to tackle global challenges.
The citiverse concept involves a network of interconnected AI-powered virtual worlds that are synchronized with their physical counterparts, meaning real-world cities. It is envisioned as a way to create more inclusive, sustainable, and participatory cities.
The initiative is co-organized by ITU, the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Tourism, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as well as with Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), the World Bank Group, Digital Dubai, the City of Tampere in Finland, the City of Valencia in Spain, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona).
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to digital inclusion, smart governance, and sustainable urban development.
Driving the future of AI and virtual worlds
The Dubai summit included the first Executive Committee Meeting of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse, aimed at defining the path to safe, inclusive, interoperable digital ecosystems. Participants discussed ways to shape AI-powered virtual worlds to ensure they serve diverse communities, governments, and industries.
During the meeting, members approved an ambitious mission statement and vision document, reaffirming their commitment to human-centred digital ecosystems that empower public services, education, healthcare, and urban planning. The newly endorsed vision – “AI-powered Virtual Worlds: Pioneering a Safe, Inclusive, and Sustainable Digital Future” – lays the foundation for leveraging AI and virtual world technologies to drive real-world impact.
Initiative Chair Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, emphasized the need for global cooperation saying: “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to harnessing AI and virtual worlds for global progress. The UN Citiverse Challenge serves as a catalyst for innovation and creative thinking, inspiring new ideas and visions that benefit humanity. We call on governments, industries, academia, and technology leaders to collaborate in shaping the future of intelligent and immersive digital ecosystems, in alignment with the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.”
Coming up
Building on this momentum, ITU and UNICC plan to hold the second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day on 11–12 June 2025 in Turin, Italy. This day, co-organized with 13 UN entities, will showcase practical applications of AI-powered virtual worlds in education, governance, healthcare, and sustainable development, reinforcing the principles of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.
The 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day will include the Citiverse Challenge Awards recognizing the most innovative and transformative AI-powered virtual world solutions emerging from the competition.
“AI-powered virtual worlds have the potential to transform public services, urban resilience, and digital culture,” says ITU Counsellor Cristina Bueti. “The Citiverse Challenge and UN Virtual Worlds Day will highlight groundbreaking innovations and foster global collaboration to shape a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.”