Smart Cities, Artificial Intelligence, and Territorial Justice

Abstract

In the era of digital transformation, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) within urban environments significantly reconfigures regional planning and territorial governance. While smart technologies promise enhanced operational efficiency, evaluating their systemic impact on spatial equity and social sustainability indicators remains a crucial academic challenge. This study delivers a comprehensive scientometric review of global scientific production intersecting smart cities, AI, and territorial justice from 2000 to 2026. A corpus of 3,011 peer-reviewed documents extracted from the Scopus database (restricted to Social Sciences, Economics, and Management) was analyzed using computational science-mapping techniques. The findings reveal a critical paradigm shift in contemporary literature, transitioning from technical infrastructure metrics toward human-centric indicators of social equity, urban inclusion, and the mitigation of socio-spatial inequalities. Thematic clustering further highlights how automated decision-making and digital transformation can either foster inclusion or exacerbate territorial fractures. Conclusively, this paper synthesizes global research trajectories to provide policymakers with a strategic framework that effectively reconciles technological innovation with territorial justice and social sustainability.