The Role of IoT and AI in Urban Public Safety

This study examines how the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies shapes public safety practices in smart cities. By applying Diffusion of Innovations Theory and New Institutionalism, the research investigates how technological adoption patterns and institutional frameworks interact to influence urban safety outcomes. The findings suggest that technical capability alone is insufficient; successful implementation depends on governance structures, ethical alignment, and policy coherence. Through a synthesis of interdisciplinary literature and theoretical perspectives, this paper offers a multidimensional understanding of how urban safety innovations are diffused, institutionalized, and operationalized. The study contributes to the growing body of smart city research by highlighting the social, spatial, and organizational dimensions that mediate the impact of AI and IoT in public safety governance.