Smart City Expo 2025 breaks records in Barcelona, calling on cities to lead global transformation

Barcelona has once again become the world capital of urban innovation. The 2025 edition of Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the leading international summit on cities and smart urban solutions, organized by Fira de Barcelona, has concluded with record-breaking attendance and a powerful call for cities to take the lead in driving global transformation.

Held at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, the event brought together over 27,000 attendees from 143 countries, consolidating Barcelona’s position as a global hub for smart city innovation and sustainable urban development.

“AI has established itself as a critical tool, not just for efficiency but for accelerating the transformation that metropolises urgently need”

Ugo Valenti, Director of Smart City Expo World Congress

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Artificial Intelligence at the Core of Urban Transformation

Under the theme “The Time for Cities,” Smart City Expo 2025 showcased how technology (particularly Artificial Intelligence) is reshaping cities to become more efficient, sustainable, and people-centered. The new AI-Enabled Cities area debuted this year, allowing participants to explore real-world applications of AI that are improving governance, mobility, and urban services around the world.

“Cities are clearly embracing their role and responsibility in the future,” said Ugo Valenti, Director of Smart City Expo World Congress. “Artificial Intelligence has established itself as a critical tool, not just for efficiency but for accelerating the transformation that metropolises urgently need. Cities must lead with purpose and accountability, and this year’s edition shows we are on the right track.”

A Global Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

SCEWC 2025 was held alongside Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress (organized with EIT Urban Mobility), Tomorrow.Building, Tomorrow.Blue Economy, and the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit — five interconnected events positioning Barcelona at the forefront of urban and technological innovation.

The congress gathered 1,190 exhibitors and major global companies, including Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Dassault Systèmes, Deloitte, Dell, Axis Communications, Urbaser, and Veolia, among others. More than 600 international experts, such as Nikki Greenberg, Kate O’Neill, and Carlo Ratti, shared their insights on the future of urban living, governance, and sustainable mobility.

Startups also played a central role, with the Innovation Playground connecting investors, research centers, and nearly 350 emerging companies presenting cutting-edge products and solutions for the cities of tomorrow.

Barcelona Strengthens Its Role as a Global Urban Innovation Hub

With its record participation and strong focus on Artificial Intelligence and sustainable solutions, Smart City Expo 2025 reaffirmed Barcelona’s leadership in smart city innovation, attracting global talent, investment, and technology to Catalonia.

The next edition of Smart City Expo World Congress will return to Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue from November 3–5, 2026.

Source: SCEWC and Catalonia Trade & Investment