This interview was provided to New Polis by our partners at Mayors of Europe as part of our ongoing collaboration on urban innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of European cities.
Granada has long been defined by its rich history, architectural heritage and academic excellence. Yet beyond the shadow of the Alhambra, the Andalusian city is emerging as one of Spain’s most ambitious centers for artificial intelligence and urban innovation. Supported by a strong alliance of public institutions, researchers and technology companies, and reinforced by new international collaborations, Granada is positioning itself as a living laboratory for the cities of the future.
For Vito Episcopo, Deputy Mayor of the City Council of Granada, this transformation is grounded in a simple principle: Technology should serve people.
With more than three decades of experience in the technology sector and responsibility for Innovation, Smart City, Digitalization, Organization and Human Resources in Granada, Episcopo leads the intersection of public administration, business, academia and technology. His perspective reflects Granada’s broader approach, that urban AI cannot be built by government, universities or technology companies working separately, but through an ecosystem in which they work together around concrete urban challenges.
That vision recently gained further international momentum with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Alliance of European Mayors and Granada’s flagship iQuantum National Urban AI Demonstration Centre, a pioneering initiative designed to provide cities, companies, researchers and public administrations with a real-world environment in which AI solutions can be tested, evaluated and scaled.
Granada has emerged as one of Spain’s leading cities in artificial intelligence. Could you introduce the strategy behind this transformation and walk us through the key initiatives that are shaping Granada’s AI ecosystem today?
Granada has developed a clear strategy to become Spain’s leading city for artificial intelligence applied to urban development. Our vision is based on a simple principle: AI should serve people by improving public services, boosting economic competitiveness, and supporting more sustainable and inclusive cities.
This transformation rests on three main pillars. The first is strong political and institutional commitment, reflected in the adoption of a Municipal Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the integration of AI as a cross-cutting priority within our innovation and smart city policies.
The second pillar is the creation of an innovation ecosystem built on collaboration among public administrations, universities, businesses, and citizens. Granada benefits from outstanding assets, including the University of Granada, internationally recognized for AI research, a growing technology sector, and a broad network of national and international partners.
The third pillar focuses on infrastructure and experimentation. This includes iQuantum, the National Urban AI Demonstration Centre, together with urban data initiatives, municipal digital transformation projects, innovation labs, and AI pilot programs.
Our ambition is not simply to develop technology, but to position Granada as a living urban laboratory where AI solutions can be designed, tested, and scaled for cities across Spain and Europe.
In the following interview, Episcopo discusses how Granada is turning this vision into reality and why collaboration will be critical to shaping the next generation of AI-enabled cities.
At the heart of this ecosystem is iQuantum, the National Urban AI Demonstration Centre. What is its mission and how does it work in practice?
iQuantum is Granada’s flagship AI initiative and one of the city’s most strategic innovation projects. Its mission is to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence by public administrations, businesses, and territories by providing a real-world environment where solutions can be demonstrated, evaluated, and transferred.
Unlike a traditional research center, iQuantum is designed as a demonstration and collaboration hub. Cities can explore real use cases, test emerging technologies, exchange experiences, and develop joint projects with technology companies, universities, and innovation organizations.
The center offers advanced computing capabilities, immersive spaces, innovation laboratories, and specialized training programs. Its activities focus on areas such as smart mobility, energy efficiency, tourism, urban management, sustainability, cybersecurity, and digital public services.
iQuantum also serves as a platform for inter-city cooperation, enabling municipalities of all sizes to access knowledge, technology, and practical experience that can accelerate their digital transformation journeys
This October, Granada will host GRX.AI 2026 together with the National Urban Innovation Awards. What can participants expect from this year’s edition, and what are your ambitions for the event in the years ahead?
GRX.AI 2026 will mark a new milestone in Granada’s strategy to position itself as an international leader in artificial intelligence and urban innovation. On 16 October 2026, the city will host the National Urban Innovation Awards – City of Granada, an initiative designed to recognize the projects, companies, public administrations, and professionals leading the transformation of cities through innovation and emerging technologies.
The awards will bring together public leaders, technology companies, universities, research centers, and experts from across Spain, creating a unique platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and new partnerships.
However, this event is part of a broader vision. During the first quarter of 2027, Granada will host the International Congress of Innovative Cities, a major global forum bringing together mayors, public officials, businesses, researchers, and international organizations to discuss the future of cities, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital governance, and urban innovation.
Our ambition is to establish Granada as a permanent meeting point for the world’s most innovative cities, fostering an international community that shares knowledge, develops joint projects, and accelerates the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence for the benefit of citizens.
Building an AI ecosystem requires much more than technology. How has Granada brought together local government, universities, private sector and innovation partners, and what have been the biggest lessons from that collaboration?
Granada has embraced a quadruple-helix innovation model, bringing together public administrations, universities, businesses, and citizens around a shared vision.
Our partnership with the University of Granada has been essential in connecting cutting-edge research with practical implementation. At the same time, we have developed strong collaborations with leading technology companies, business associations, innovation centers, and city networks at both national and international levels.
One of our most important lessons has been that urban innovation requires institutional leadership, shared objectives, and trust among stakeholders. Technology alone does not transform cities. Real impact comes from building ecosystems where knowledge, resources, and opportunities are shared to address concrete urban challenges.
Many municipalities are eager to move from experimentation to implementation. Could you share one or two examples where AI is already delivering tangible value in Granada and which applications do you believe other cities should prioritize?
Granada is already deploying AI solutions that deliver measurable benefits for municipal management.
One of the most significant examples is the use of computer vision systems for automated public space inspection. Cameras installed on municipal vehicles can identify issues related to street cleanliness, infrastructure maintenance, and urban asset conditions, helping optimize resources and improve service response times.
We are also advancing the use of data analytics and AI to support decision-making in areas such as mobility, tourism, and urban planning.
For other cities, we recommend starting with applications that provide immediate and measurable value: administrative automation, predictive infrastructure maintenance, smart waste management, data-driven mobility solutions, and digital assistants for citizen services. These are areas where AI is already delivering proven and scalable results.
If a mayor or chief digital officer from another European city wanted to engage with Granada’s AI ecosystem, what opportunities for collaboration already exist, and where would you recommend they begin?
Granada is strongly committed to open collaboration and international cooperation. Cities interested in engaging with our ecosystem can participate in iQuantum activities, attend GRX.AI, develop joint pilot projects, exchange best practices, or explore European initiatives related to AI, urban data, and public-sector innovation.
Our recommendation is to begin by identifying specific urban challenges that could benefit from collaboration. From there, iQuantum provides an ideal environment to connect with experts, companies, researchers, and public administrations already working on similar solutions.
We firmly believe that the future of urban AI will be built through networks of cities that share knowledge and jointly develop open, ethical, and scalable solutions for the benefit of citizens across Europe.
Photo credit: Mayors of Europe
