Beware of smart people!

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The Smart City paradigm promotes resource-efficient urban development through ICT implementation, with cities increasingly adopting Smart City strategies and research institutions funding smart infrastructure initiatives. This paradigm is seen as a radical shift, driving technological innovation, economic growth, improved quality of life, and enhanced efficiency in the face of resource constraints and climate change. However, there is a growing demand from civil society and urban social movements for greater inclusion in decision-making processes. New urban actors are gaining agency through local expertise, social networking, and collaboration. In parallel, the discourse of the commons is emerging, emphasizing resources managed collectively by communities, fostering sustainable practices without depleting resources. This raises the question of whether the Smart City and urban commons discourses are fundamentally opposed or if they share common ground that can be developed and advocated. This inquiry is not merely theoretical; it has practical implications for resource management and distribution, political dimensions requiring negotiation, and ethical considerations regarding respect for both human and non-human entities. The essays and transcripts from the symposium “Beware of Smart People!” aim to contribute to this discussion and stimulate future research in the field.