IDC Future Enterprise Awards: Special Award for Smart Cities - Best in Citizen Well-Being Award Winner Profile 2025

This IDC Perspective highlights Kaohsiung City government's award-winning smart city project in Taiwan. The Department of Substance Abuse Control and Prevention (DSACP) formed the Kaohsiung AI Technology Drug Prevention Team, which utilizes AI, big data, and location-based services (LBS) to identify high-risk drug areas, issue automatic warnings, and provide counseling. This innovative approach has effectively supported rehabilitation, reintegration, and drug prevention efforts, delivering measurable results."Drug abuse demands a comprehensive approach that involves combining advanced technology with coordinated governance," says Manoj Vallikkat, senior research manager, IDC Health Insights. "Innovative solutions, such as 5G, AI, and Internet of Things, enable early detection and intervention as seen in the initiative of the Kaohsiung City government in Taiwan. With a focus on citizen awareness and partnerships with tech innovators, governments can create more efficient and inclusive systems to combat this growing societal issue," adds Vallikkat.