Oxford Insights Proposed City AI Readiness Index
The framework aims to systematically evaluate artificial intelligence adoption at the city government level.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Do you support your local government increasing the use of AI in public services?
Oxford Insights has published a new report introducing a City AI Readiness Index. The study analyzed six international cities to better capture how municipal governments are integrating artificial intelligence.
Why it matters
Existing global indices often overlook efforts at the city government level, creating a need for a dedicated framework to measure local AI adoption and infrastructure.
Researchers utilized a six-pillar framework to evaluate infrastructure, governance, energy, and talent across six global cities. The pilot program aims to expand this analysis to between 15 and 20 cities.
The players
Oxford Insights
This consulting firm specializes in AI strategy and governance, having previously developed national-level AI readiness indices.
Abu Dhabi
The capital of the United Arab Emirates serves as a primary case study for the integration of artificial intelligence in public services.
The details
The report highlights Abu Dhabi and Seoul as Strategic Cities, noting that Abu Dhabi has implemented an AI-native government strategy. In Abu Dhabi, the TAMM platform utilizes AI to serve 4.7 million users, successfully resolving 96 per cent of enquiries autonomously.
Timeline
Oxford Insights began producing the Government AI Readiness Index in 2017.
Abu Dhabi launched its three-year AI-native government strategy in January 2025.
Oxford Insights published the City AI Readiness report on October 6, 2026.
The Tech Race
This new index extends the methodology of the Government AI Readiness Index to the municipal level. It marks a shift toward granular urban metrics as cities compete to establish themselves as digital-first hubs.
The widespread adoption of AI-native platforms like TAMM aims to reduce wait times for public services and automate routine administrative tasks. Residents in these strategic cities can expect more responsive digital interactions with local government departments.
The takeaway
City-level readiness indexes provide a clearer picture of how digital transformation impacts public sector efficiency. Policymakers can use these archetypes to benchmark their own progress against similar global metropolitan centers.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence.
More information
View the full City AI Readiness report for detailed analysis and findings.
Live Poll
Do you support your local government increasing the use of AI in public services?
