Ambon Accelerates Data and AI-Driven Smart City Development

The Ambon City Government is accelerating the development of a technology and data-based Smart City concept through the strengthening of the ‘Satu Data Ambon’ (One Data Ambon) system, the integration of digital services, and the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) utilization across various sectors. Mayor Bodewin Wattimena stated that this acceleration follows Ambon achieving a final score of 3.6 in the 2025 Smart City Implementation Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. The evaluation assessed six main dimensions: Smart Governance, Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Society, Smart Environment, and Smart Branding. Mayor Wattimena noted that the achievement reflects the collective work of all regional apparatus and community support in driving digital transformation. Various digital innovations have been developed, including an AI-based City Control Center, the 112 Call Center service, and the WAJAR (Wali Kota Jumpa Rakyat) program, all aimed at making public services faster, more transparent, and accessible. Ambon’s identity as a UNESCO City of Music is also being integrated with the 2025–2029 Smart City Master Plan. The evaluation highlighted positive regional development indicators, such as a declining poverty rate, a very high Human Development Index (IPM), and increasingly digitalized health services through an e-Puskesmas integrated with the SATUSEHAT platform. Moving forward, the city will prioritize addressing challenges in waste management, strengthening regional financial governance, and enhancing human resource development. The government plans to expand AI technology into public services, tourism, the creative economy, and disaster mitigation, expressing optimism that collaboration among all stakeholders will advance Ambon as a smart, creative, and inclusive city capable of competing nationally and internationally.