Critiquing algorithmic governance with Vitor Pereira, Global Thought Leader for Philosophy and Ethics

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In this deeply reflective episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, speaks with Vitor Pereira, Global Thought Leader for Philosophy and Ethics, about the soul of cities and the essence of smartness.

Vitor Pereira is a Journalist and Communication Expert, Creative and Visionary Strategist and Deep Thinker, and he is part of the exclusive shortlist of ‘pioneers’ for the Smart Cities topics discussions. Vitor co-Founded the ZOOM GLOBAL SMART CITIES ASSOCIATION, a ‘gnostic’ platform with heart and soul for the future, and the SMART CITIES PORTUGAL CLUSTER. Vitor is an International Speaker and Contributor, Chair and Coordinator of numerous events around the world and specialized content platforms. Working with Cities, Universities and Private Corporations to develop roadmaps and strategies for Smart Cities, Smart Regions, Smart Tourism, Vitor was first awarded with the prize of Personality of the Year Smart Cities Live 2015 (Portugal), awarded for the first time within the frame of the Green Business Week, an initiative of the AIP Foundation. Vitor is the Winner of THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 1st edition 2018, an initiative from “Smart to Future” (Uk’s Global Smart Cities event).

From embracing imperfection to critiquing algorithmic governance, Vitor challenges us to rethink what smart really means—and why soul, honesty, and context matter more than data alone. Tune in for a provocative conversation about ethics, transparency, and why cities must be honest to truly thrive.

Key Takeaways

1:10 – Meet Vitor Pereira: Dreamer, Strategist, Philosopher
2:30 – The City as Humanity’s Greatest Invention
3:30 – There Is No Perfect City—And That’s the Point
5:00 – How Creativity Thrives in “Broken” Cities
6:30 – Venice, Amsterdam & Embracing the Dark Side
9:40 – Why Authenticity Beats Branding
12:00 – The Urban Gravity of Big Cities vs. Brain Drain in Small Ones
14:00 – Smartness ≠ Technology: It’s About Priorities
15:30 – Why Cities Need Smart Policies, Not Just Smart Tech
16:40 – Data-Driven Governance vs. Human Responsibility
18:30 – The Ethical Dangers of Algorithmic Urbanism
20:30 – Are We Already Living in a Simulation?
22:10 – Silent Pressures and the Risk of Societal Blowback
23:20 – Defining Smartness: The Fastest Way to Solve Problems
24:30 – Refugee Camps and Favelas as Models of Urban Intelligence
26:00 – Planning with, not for, the People
27:10 – Final Thoughts: Fix Planning First to Avoid Fixing Later

Learn more about Vitor Pereira:

Vitor Pereira on LinkedIn

Connect with Us:

Give us a shout:Have questions or comments? Email us on our website ⁠https://www.smartcitiescouncil.com/contact⁠ or tweet us @SmartCitiesCouncil with the hashtag #SCCPodcast.

Closing Comments:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast! If you enjoyed Andrew Cary’s insights into the future of urban mobility, there’s plenty more where that came from. Subscribe now to stay updated on new episodes featurin

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