London Mayor’s digital comms plan

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has asked those living in the capital to share their ideas on the potential future use of digital communications technology and data.

The request follows on from last year’s announcement by Khan that he wants to transform London into “the world’s leading smart city,” and that he was beginning the process of drawing up a strategy document known as the Smart London Plan. He has also asked the technology community what they believe can be done to ensure better digital collaboration across the capital’s public services.

Speaking of his recent call for information, Sadiq Khan said: “I want to know how this technology is affecting Londoners’ lives, and also to understand in what ways we can build on this with new technologies in the future.

“We want London to be the global home of the data economy; to seize the benefits of new artificial intelligence, and to inspire a new generation of inventors and developers to make our city even better.”

London’s Chief Digital Officer Theo Blackwell - who is charged with delivering the Smart London Plan - said: “London’s tech talent are the enablers in helping shape the future use of data in the capital. We want to hear from everyone working in tech, or who uses tech, on what measures they think we should take to help manage London’s growth and deliver better public services.”

Recent digital comms innovations rolled out in the capital - as listed by the Mayor’s office -, include sensors indicating air quality, Oyster cards for use on public transport, and the Metropolitan Police’s recent roll-out of body worn video cameras.

The Smart London Plan will be developed in partnership with Bloomberg Associates, and launched at London Tech Week in June of this year.