When we talk about "smart cities," it's easy to imagine futuristic skylines filled with flying cars and glowing billboards. But in reality, smart cities are about something more practical: using technology to solve everyday challenges in urban life. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made it clear at the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur that Malaysia's journey towards building smart cities must be led by local talent and powered by artificial intelligence (AI).