Academy of the Near Future wins Silver at Seoul Smart City prize

Grace D’Arcy, ANF Programme Manager and The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Daithí de Róiste, receiving the prize in Seoul.

The Seoul Smart City Prize is designed to promote and champion a people-cantered digital transformation. The ‘Human-Centricity’ Prize awards projects that prioritize digital inclusion in smart city development including particularly underserved groups among the citizen population, such as the youth or elderly. 

ANF is dedicated to providing citizens with the knowledge and tools to understand emerging technologies and how data can address urban, environmental, and societal challenges.  

ANF's Smart Cities education programme aims to encourage broader participation in discussions about how technology shapes our living spaces.

The partnership leverages the expertise of local government and leading academic research to drive the evolution of smarter, more inclusive cities, believing that building an inclusive, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable city is contingent on technology's capacity to enhance the lives of all residents. 

Receiving the Silver Award at the Seoul Smart City Prize is a testament to ANF's dedication to human-centric smart city development and its ongoing efforts to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to actively participate in shaping their urban environments. 

The Lord Mayor of Dublin said: “The Academy of the Near Future's remarkable achievement in receiving the Silver Award at the Seoul Smart City Prize is a source of immense pride for Dublin. This recognition underscores our commitment to innovation and inclusivity in urban development. We are honoured to be part of this collaborative effort with CONNECT, and we remain dedicated to building a smarter, more vibrant, and equitable future for all our residents."

Grace D’Arcy, Engagement Programme Manager at Academy for the Near Future, said: “For us at the Academy of the Near Future (ANF), receiving the Silver Award at the Seoul Smart City Prize reaffirms our unwavering commitment to human-centric smart city development. We believe that by empowering young people with knowledge and fostering inclusive dialogue, we can truly shape urban environments that enhance the lives of all residents. This recognition inspires us to continue our mission of building smarter, more inclusive, and environmentally sustainable cities.”

Media Contact:

Thomas Deane | Media Relations | deaneth@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4685