Smart Rural Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence for Social Innovation: Beyond the Noise of Algorithms and Datafication

In an era of rapid technological advancement, decisions about the ownership and governance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence will shape the future of both urban and rural environments in the Global North and South. This article explores how AI can move beyond the noise of algorithms by adopting a technological humanistic approach to enable Social Innovation, focusing on global inequalities and digital justice. Using a fieldwork Action Research methodology, based on the Smart Rural Communities project in Colombia and Mozambique, the study develops a framework for integrating AI with SI. Drawing on insights from the AI4SI International Summer School held in Donostia-San Sebastián in 2024, the article examines the role of decentralized Web3 technologies—such as Blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, and Data Cooperatives—in enhancing data sovereignty and fostering inclusive and participatory governance. The results demonstrate how decentralization can empower marginalized communities in the Global South by promoting digital justice and addressing the imbalance of power in digital ecosystems. The conclusion emphasizes the potential for AI and decentralized technologies to bridge the digital divide, offering practical recommendations for scaling these innovations to support equitable, community-driven governance and address systemic inequalities across the Global North and South.

Discussion on the New Mode of Rural Smart Retail

Discussion on the New Mode of Rural Smart Retail

Privacy-Centric AI and IoT Solutions for Smart Rural Farm Monitoring and Control.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture has significantly transformed rural farming. However, the adoption of these technologies has also introduced privacy and security concerns, particularly unauthorized breaches and cyber-attacks on data collected from IoT devices and sensitive information. The present study addresses these concerns by developing a comprehensive framework that provides practical, privacy-centric AI and IoT solutions for monitoring smart rural farms. This is performed by designing a framework that includes a three-phase protocol that secures data exchange between the User, the IoT Sensor Layer, and the Central Server. In the proposed protocol, the Central Server is responsible for establishing a secure communication channel by verifying the legitimacy of the IoT Sensor devices and the User and securing the data using rigorous cryptographic techniques. The proposed protocol is also validated using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool. The formal security analysis confirms the robustness of the protocol and its suitability for real-time applications in AI and IoT-enabled smart rural farms, demonstrating resistance against various attacks and enhanced performance metrics, including a computation time of 0.04 s for 11 messages and a detailed search where 119 nodes were visited at a depth of 12 plies in a mere search time of 0.28 s.

Rural Smart Grids: planning, operation and control review

Rural Smart Grids enables the incorporation of distributed generation as while as the development of the rural communities. In this paper Smart Grid characteristics are presented and challenges of its integration in the network are analysed. Differential characteristics of Rural Smart Grids are summarized and areas that should be investigated to achieve their high scale implementation are pointed out.

Attraction Recommendation and Itinerary Planning for Smart Rural Tourism Based on Regional Segmentation

Attraction Recommendation and Itinerary Planning for Smart Rural Tourism Based on Regional Segmentation

Research on the Development of Rural Smart Pension in China Based on the Combination of Medical and Nursing Care

Research on the Development of Rural Smart Pension in China Based on the Combination of Medical and Nursing Care

The Institutionalisation of Smart Villages and Smart Rural Development in Hungary

The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the institutionalisation process of the so-called smart approach to rural development, i.e. the implementation of “smart villages” in Hungary. Using the methodological tool of discourse analysis, it argues that an overemphasis on a critical approach, which would mainly interpret the institutionalisation of the smart village discourse on the basis of its role in the (re)production of domination, is a rather one-sided approach. In Hungary, local actors and/or grassroots initiatives have played a decisive role in shaping the meaning of the smart village concept right from the beginning. On the other hand, it seems that even at a later phase of the smart village discourse, when the power centre, i.e. the administration would gradually take matters into their hands, it is not appropriate to focus on asymmetric power relations. The analysis of the Hungarian Digital Village Programme launched in 2020 shows that the administration’s aim is still to encourage rural municipalities interested in smart approaches to actively participate in the process of meaning construction.

Roles of Wireless Networks in Bridging the Rural Smart Infrastructural Divide

The past decade has seen a rise in the availability of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) for developing smart societies and communities. However, the smart divide, characterized by inequalities in ICT infrastructures, software access, and individual capabilities, remains a significant barrier for rural communities. Limited empirical studies exist that explore what and how ICT infrastructures can be developed to bridge the smart divide. The paper aimed to address rural broadband access in the context of infrastructural dimensions of smart divide (i.e., smart infrastructural divide) in the United States, focusing on the wireless network infrastructure’s role in narrowing the gap. It examined the broadband specifications needed for smart applications like smart education and telehealth, emphasizing the importance of wireless network capabilities. While fixed broadband offers higher speeds, wireless networks can support many smart applications with decent flexibility and ease of access. To further understand the implications of wireless broadband to rural communities, we conducted a case study in Carbondale and Cairo, two rural towns in Southern Illinois, using on-site user-inspired speed testing. An Android application was developed to measure download/upload speeds and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) for broadband quality. Results suggest both Carbondale and Cairo experienced below-average speeds with high variability among census blocks, which highlights the need for improved wireless network infrastructure. The paper culminated in the technological and policy recommendations to narrow down the smart infrastructural divide.

Retracted: Rural Workplace Sustainable Development of Smart Rural Governance Workplace Platform for Efficient Enterprise Performances.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/1588638.].

Retracted: Optimization of Rural Smart Tourism Service Model with Internet of Things

Retracted: Optimization of Rural Smart Tourism Service Model with Internet of Things

Thermal energy community-based multi-dimensional business model framework and critical success factors investigation in the mediterranean region of the EU

Rural areas have gained relevance in the EU policy framework as a result of the experienced depopulation trend experienced in these areas. Smart Rural Communities are recognized as effective means to tackle this issue by delivering smart services to local population leading to improved economic competitivity. One of the major challenges, among others, is to deliver renewable energy matching existing demand in opposition of fossil-fuel based solutions. To this end, Energy Communities (EC) potential to deploy Renewable Energies (RE) while improving supplier – consumer engagement and empowering the energy consumer. Despite the advances throughout the EU in the deployment of ECs, the vast majority of them are based on PV systems, leaving a huge path for development of novel business models for thermal energy communities, mainly due to the existing economic and social barriers to thermal energy communities’ deployment.The present work aims at contributing to the closure of this research gap by systematizing community-based business model arrangements for thermal energy communities’ deployment to then identify the relevance of main affecting parameters and identify the critical success factors for business model success. To do so, a novel multi-dimensional business model framework is proposed to promote the deployment of Thermal Energy Communities based on the use of local biomass with a District Heating (DH) network distribution system. The proposed framework analyses business model viability in terms of economic and environmental benefits for different EC layouts according to spatial configuration of the demand –clustered/urban vs. scattered/rural – and to demand profile – industrial/low seasonality vs. residential/high seasonality. Results show that business models are economically viable in terms of payback period below boiler service life and NPV/IRR of the investment needed for all cases, although best results are obtained for clustered and industrial demand as a result of lower investment requirements to deliver the same amount of energy. Critical success factors to ensure business model viability are also investigated, finding the minimum natural gas tariff that makes economically viable the thermal EC business proposition. Last, the business model incorporates the use of digital tools for biomass traceability and low carbon certification enabling local biomass use and supplier – consumer transparency that promotes greater stakeholder engagement. Also, biomass digital traceability is aligned with current regulatory framework in the EU, namely the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the upcoming revision of it (RED III), making the EC business model up-to-date and competitive in terms of services offered to the end-user.

Exploring the Commercialization of Smart Rural Energy in Times of Energy Supply Chain Disruptions

The lingering COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine have wreaked havoc on the global oil supply chain. The current disruption of the oil supply chain and the rapidly growing energy demand created unprecedented oil shortages and raised the oil price beyond the affordable level. As worldwide oil price hikes continue, there is an urgent need for developing alternative energy sources, such as smart rural energy. Despite its enormous potential as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources, smart rural energy has never been fully utilized in society. The limited use of smart rural energy may be related to its lack of commercialization, which could have created more eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative energy sources. This paper assesses the eco-friendliness and cost-efficiency of smart rural energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower for the first time. This paper is also one of the first studies that intends to develop viable strategic plans for commercializing smart rural energy using strategy maps, which subsequently helps increase public awareness of renewable energy by creating visual communication tools that convey the benefits of smart rural energy commercialization to multiple stakeholders, including government entities, business communities, and energy consumers.

Smart Tourism Technologies, Revisit Intention, and Word-of-Mouth in Emerging and Smart Rural Destinations

This study examines the influence of the various attributes of smart tourism technologies (STTs) on tourists’ intentions to revisit locations and engage in word-of-mouth (WOM) activities regarding emerging and smart rural tourist destinations in Iran. A sample of 590 tourists who visited these destinations following the COVID-19 pandemic participated in the study. The findings reveal that three attributes of STTs, namely, informativeness, accessibility, and interactivity, positively contribute to tourists’ memorable experiences (ME). Furthermore, ME, satisfaction, and the willingness to engage in WOM recommendations are identified as predictors of tourists’ intention to revisit rural destinations. The study also reveals that user competence serves as a mediator between the attributes of STTs (informativeness, accessibility, and interactivity) and the tourists’ ME. Specifically, tourists with greater skills and knowledge of using STTs tend to have more memorable experiences in these emerging and smart rural destinations. The study discusses both the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Smart Rural Communities: Action Research in Colombia and Mozambique

This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on rural development programs aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Global South. The research question examines how the Smart Rural Communities (SRC) framework can support the SDGs as an international cooperation model. The article presents findings from fieldwork action research including a critical analysis of the hegemonic discourse on smart cities and provides final recommendations. Additionally, it introduces the concept of SRC. The fieldwork action research was conducted in post-conflict rural areas in Colombia’s Bolivar region and remote settlements in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. Led by Ayuda En Acción in collaboration with co-operatives such as Mundukide Foundation, Alecop, and LKS from Mondragon Co-operative Corporation, these interventions aimed to engage local communities through Living Labs. They utilized Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and social innovation to promote the well-being of rural residents. The article comprises (i) an introduction; (ii) a literature review; (iii) a presentation of the fieldwork action research in Colombia and Mozambique; (iv) findings from a SWOT analysis and policy recommendations for SRC Living Labs; (v) conclusions addressing the research question. The SRC framework offers valuable insights for international cooperation models striving to achieve the SDGs in the Global South.

High Altitude Platform Stations Aided Cloud-Computing Solution for Rural-Environment IoT Applications

This work proposes a flexible and scalable Smart Rural (SR) system for gathering and processing IoT data from remote rural areas with no traditional communication coverage as a handicap. We offer an architecture structured in distinct segments using emerging technologies such as IoT, 5G, Cloud and High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). This proposal is applied to the rural environment to cover thus all the needs of the system in the collection of IoT data from these remote rural areas, its coverage by space vehicles and its processing and storage through 5G terrestrial networks and cloud services. The proposal includes the deployment of IoT sensors and the development of Amazon Web Services (AWS). On the other hand, the part of the space segment considered by HAPS has been simulated for different space channels. This way offers a complete and automated SR system that allows access to these IoT data from remote rural areas through the Internet.

Smart Rural Communities for the Agenda 2030: Action Research, Living Labs, and SDGs

Smart Rural Communities for the Agenda 2030: Action Research, Living Labs, and SDGs

DEVELOPMENT POLICY INNOVATION IN INDONESIA: THE APPLICATION OF SMART RURAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST VILLAGES

The study of village development is currently popular in political and government discourse in Indonesia. The innovative steps in village development in Indonesia is the application of the smart rural concept. Smart rural is defined as a rural area that is built sustainably with a potential specialization approach, the use of technology, and a bottom-up planning process to improve the regional economy. Therefore, this study will try to look at the development of smart rural areas in Indonesia with focus on developing smart rural-based villages and tourism, precisely in Hanura Village, and Harapan Jaya Village, Pesawaran Regency. The research was conducted by conducting observations, interviews, and documentation. The results of this study are: the Innovation Program for the Prosperous Village Movement (GaDIS) in Jarapan Jaya Village has the aim of creating a strong and independent village in the business unit under the Village Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) that utilizes the local potential of the village (tourism), the use of technology, and the GaDIS Program to encourage community empowerment which leads to increased community welfare. The commitment of BUMDes managers, tourism awareness groups and economic actors is carried out appropriately based on the business plan of the program’s final destination. Meanwhile, Hanura Village has utilized information technology into its government (smart government). participating communities (smart community), utilizing the environment (smart environment) Synergy in the implementation of smart rural-based development is good, the pattern of good communication relationships, feedback, trust and creativity since planning process to the implementation of the smart rural program.

Smart Rural Village’s Healthcare and Energy Indicators—Twin Enablers to Smart Rural Life

Poverty in rural areas remains rife and high despite the rapid societal developments and technological advancements the world is riding on, brought about by the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Most communities and individuals in many rural areas of the world often face near zero to limited access to basic services such as access to energy and healthcare. The study’s objective is to develop linkages between smart rural health indicators and smart rural energy indicators. This is achieved by using a six-stage method developed over a two year period. The method uses sustainable development goals as a point of departure; however, in this study, the focus is on healthcare and energy access. The following indicators has been derived: the number of patients in a village monitored remotely, the number of persons having access to a mobile health clinic powered by a renewable energy source, the number of network routers powered by renewable energy to enable drone usage in a village, and the accessibility of a patient’s database by the village surgeon remotely due to reliable and accessible servers powered by a mixture of sustainable and renewable energy. The paper concludes that a sustainable, renewable energy mix acts as the enabling link that renders healthcare services in rural villages accessible to all.

Optimization of Rural Smart Tourism Service Model with Internet of Things

Rural smart tourism is a new tourism form supported by information technology, especially the Internet of Things technology. Smart tourism not only makes it easier for tourists to get diverse tourism information, but it also helps attractive sites improve their service capabilities. The optimization of the rural smart tourist service model, which is explored in this work, includes personalized recommendations of scenic sites. The main research contents of the paper are as follows: (1) A new algorithm for recommending tourism destinations with domain adaptability has been suggested. In the field of personalized recommendation of tourist attractions, most of the target domain data are unlabeled, and the model cannot be trained. When it comes to training, however, there exist source domain data sets that are completely labeled and can be used as a supplement to the target domain training data sets. (2) A personalized recommendation algorithm for tourist attractions with deep migration has been studied. Owing to the distribution difference between target data and source data, an adaptive layer is added to the convolutional neural network. The domain loss is then minimized to achieve deep feature transfer, and the model can then be trained to find scenic areas of interest to the user. Finally, the recommendation for tourist destinations with deep migration is done by examining the relationship between the target user and other users.

Study on the Development Model of Rural Smart Tourism Based on the Background of Internet of Things

In recent years, the domestic self-help tourism market has developed rapidly, so it is necessary to develop a tourism guidance system based on the Internet of Things. The brilliant smart tourism has emerged under this background. This is a low-carbon smart operation model that integrates technology and management, that is, using big data technology as the basis to make traditional rural tourism and digitization more intelligent. Smart tourism can play a very good role in improving the management of rural tourism, developing rural economy, and improving tourism management and services, thereby promoting the development of the tourism industry. The research is aimed at the construction and development of the rural smart tourism strategic model based on big data technology. Through the actual investigation of rural smart tourism combined with related literature, the innovative application of big data is described and analyzed, and the real-time analysis of tourist attractions is carried out through big data. The density of people flow helps tourists choose routes according to the density, and manages the dense flow in time, thus effectively preventing the series of risks caused by the excessive flow of people and strengthening the management of tourists. It also puts forward the countermeasures that the development of rural smart tourism needs to improve the rural smart tourism information platform, formulate smart service standards, create a smart talent service platform, and create a new model of rural smart tourism marketing.