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Dinis Guarda Is #1 Thought Leader On Smart Cities In 2025, Recognises Thinkers360
3 Oct 2025, 5:09 am GMT+1
Dinis Guarda Is #1 Thought Leader On Smart Cities In 2025, Recognises Thinkers360
Dinis Guarda, Founder of Ztudium Group and creator of platforms such as Citiesabc.com, Businessabc.net, and Wisdomia.ai ranks 1st in the ‘Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on Smart Cities 2025’ list by Thinkers360 amongst global influencers and thought leaders like Rajul Mehrotra, Alan Mihalic, Lucia Bellocchio, Ibrahim Odeh.
The Thinkers360 ‘Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on Smart Cities 2025’ list recognises professionals who have significantly shaped the Smart Cities landscape through their contributions to innovation, thought leadership, and industry transformation. These leaders have shared their expertise across diverse platforms, including articles, books, keynote speeches, webinars, podcasts, and media engagements.
Topping this year’s list is Dinis Guarda, author and Creator of ztudium Group, and platforms like citiesabc.com. He is also the co-author of ‘Blueprint For Smart Cities: A Social Contract’, a research publication led by University of Durham and University of Surrey, with Big Innovation Centre, and World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF).
In his recent article on citiesabc.com, ‘How Many Cities Are There In The World’, Dinis presents a comprehensive analysis of cities, urban definition, enumeration, and global distribution of cities.
Let’s explore the other influential figures in the Thinkers360 ‘Top 50 Thought Leaders on Smart Cities 2025’ list
‘Top 50 Thought Leaders On Smart Cities 2025’ Recognised by Thinkers360
Rajul Mehrotra is a Strategy & Operations Leader at Accenture in India, leading Strategy, Business Operations, CEO/COO Strategic Initiatives, and geographic expansion. He has 25+ years of experience across in Strategy Consulting, Business Development and Sales.
Alan Mihalic
Alan Mihalic is the Founder & President of the IoT Security Institute, Queensland, Australia. A recognised cybersecurity advisor, author, and keynote speaker, he specialises in IoT, smart cities, and critical infrastructure security.
Lucía Bellocchio is the Founder & CEO of Trend Smart Cities, leading innovative work in designing smart, sustainable, and human-centric cities in LATAM. She specialises in consulting, mentorship, education, and research on urban innovation and sustainability.
Dr. Ibrahim Odeh is the Founding Director of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) at Columbia University. With expertise in construction management, he conducts research on the global construction market and advises top companies, including the World Economic Forum and Skanska. He also teaches courses in project management and entrepreneurship at Columbia University.
Oliviero Casale is an Innovation Manager Certified UNI 11814 and General Manager at UniProfessioni, Italy. He serves on ISO TC 279, leads ASSINRETE’s Technical Scientific Committee, and contributes to Industry 5.0 initiatives across Europe.
Tim Cortinovis is an International Keynote Speaker, Agentic AI expert, bestselling author, and Top 10 Thought Leader in Agentic AI. With over 20 years of experience, he helps businesses turn AI into tangible value, inspiring global leaders through his talks, books, and consulting.
Adam Boostrom is a Consultant, Author, and Futurist specializing in strategic foresight and innovation. As part of Tata Consultancy Services' 'Future of Business Team,' he helps organizations envision how AI will shape their future. Boostrom is also an award-winning author, known for his bestselling book Athena's Choice.
Andrew R. Barron is a Climate & Sustainability Innovator, Entrepreneur, and Academic with over 30 years of experience in energy, nanotechnology, and materials science. As the founder of MiDAS Green Innovations and several other companies, he leads initiatives in carbon capture, hydrogen production, and sustainable solutions. Barron is also a Non-Executive Director and mentor, supporting organisations in achieving Net Zero targets.
Sean C. Melancon is the founder of CAMCRETE, inventor of The Safebox, and a Designer, ranked #5 Global Thought Leader by Thinkers 360 in Smart Cities, #23 in Sustainability, and #30 in Supply Chain. He is the founder of CAMCRETE and inventor of The Safebox.
Debmalya Biswas is an Executive Director - AI CoE Lead at UBS, with over 20 years of experience in AI/ML, Big Data Analytics, and Privacy & Security. He has authored 50+ patents and 30+ scientific articles, with a PhD in Computer Science from INRIA, France. He has worked at leading companies like Nokia, SAP, and Oracle and contributed to EU AI & XR research projects.
Bill Curtis-Davidson is the Executive Director & Principal Research Scientist at the Center for Inclusive Design & Innovation, Georgia Tech. With a focus on making technology accessible, he leads research and innovation to ensure emerging technologies enhance human capabilities for everyone, regardless of identity or background.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas is the CEO and Co-Founder of FAVORIOT, a recognized IoT thought leader and evangelist. He has held senior positions at REDtone IoT, MIMOS Berhad, and CELCOM. Dr. Mazlan holds a PhD in Telecommunications and is a frequent speaker at IoT and Smart Cities conferences. He is also the Deputy Chairman of the Malaysia IoT Association for 2024–2026.
Stephanie Atkinson is the Founder and CEO of Compass Intelligence and vMarque, specializing in tech consulting, marketing, and strategic insights for mobile, IoT, and smart cities. A recognized thought leader in IoT and sustainability, she has been named one of the top B2B influencers and has served as an advisor to numerous organizations. Atkinson also founded ElevateOurKids.org to bridge the digital divide in education.
Colin B. is the Founder, Director, and Principal Consultant at Pathway Consulting Group, specialising in sourcing, procurement, supply chain optimisation, and business transformation. He has extensive experience with FTSE 100 companies and a focus on performance improvement.
Gert Botha is the Founder & Director of Hiving Technology, an award-winning innovation consultancy based in Dubai. With 25 years of experience, specialising in IoT solutions for data collection and management across manufacturing, mining, and construction industries.
Nicolas Babin is the President of Babin Business Consulting, with clients including AWS, Google, Amazon, Adobe, and IBM. He has advised startups on growth and digital strategy, raised millions in capital, and is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice. Babin also serves as a DigitalEU Ambassador for the European Commission, contributing to digital transformation and tech communication across Europe.
Prof. Muhammad Khurram Khan is the Founder & CEO of the Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research and a Professor of Cybersecurity at KSU. He is a global thought leader, instrumental in cybersecurity research, policy, and investment. Prof. Khan is the Editor-in-Chief of Telecommunication Systems (Springer-Nature) and serves on several prestigious editorial boards. He has contributed to cyber policy for the G20 and is a fellow of the IET, BCS, and FTRA. He has published over 500 papers and holds 12 US/PCT patents.
Elitsa Krumova is a Global Thought Leader & B2B Tech Influencer with over 13 years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry, Senator WBAF–G20, INNOV-8 Ambassador, Women Techmakers Ambassador, Best Technology Influencer, Best B2B Influencer Marketing, Best Thought Leadership.
Wassim Jarkas is the CEO of iBLOCKCHAIN and an advisory board member at Mizzle with 24 years of experience in telecommunications, IT network systems, and digital transformation, pioneering the World’s First Hybrid Cloud Core and driving 3G/4G/5G network strategies globally. He is a Top-25 global leader in 5G, Top-50 in Blockchain and Telecom, and a recognised angel investor.
Vladimer Botsvadze is a globally recognized marketing thought leader and AI speaker, named No. 1 Global Marketing Thought Leader by Thinkers360. He is an advisory board member at the US AI Institute, mentor at Techstars, and judge at The Webby Awards. With over 15 years of experience, he has been instrumental in reshaping digital marketing strategies for top brands and startups. Vladimer has been recognized as a Top 21 AI Speaker alongside Sam Altman and is a trusted advisor for Fortune 500 companies.
Vitor has received numerous awards, including Personality of the Year at Smart Cities Live 2015 and the People's Choice Award at the Smart to Future event in 2018. Vitor Pereira is Executive Director and Co-Founder of Zoom Global Smart Cities Association and Smart Cities Portugal Cluster.
Avrohom Gottheil is the Founder and CEO of AskTheCEO Media, where he helps emerging tech companies amplify marketing, boost engagement, and connect with investors. He hosts the #AskTheCEO podcast and offers strategic services to build thought leadership in AI, IoT, and cybersecurity.
Thorsten Heller is the Chief Innovation Officer at GE Vernova Grid Software, leading data and AI-driven innovation for the future grid. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Greenbird, focused on decarbonszing utilities.
Prayukth K V is the Director for the EU region at Shieldworkz, managing market expansion efforts. He is also the Co-Founder of MyBookWorks and has extensive experience in AI, IoT, and cybersecurity.
Elmustafa Sayed Ali Ahmed is a Senior Lecturer in the Electrical & Electronics Department at the College of Engineering, Red Sea University, with expertise in Wireless Networks, IoT, Digital Image Processing, Routing Protocols, and Cloud Computing. He is a published researcher with over 50 papers, a member of IEEE ComSoc and IAENG, and holds certifications in Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Scrum Fundamentals.
Raluca Ioana CIBU BUZAC is the Founder & CEO of Luminspino and the Founder of SUNCHILD. She has developed signature services endorsed by the European Innovation Council, including mentoring for climate innovators and facilitated learning networks for change makers.
Jeff Daniels, Ph.D, is the Director of Business Transformation and Systems Modernization at Lockheed Martin Corporation and a Professor of Cybersecurity at UMGC. He is a recognised CISO, award-winning educator, and active contributor to global initiatives in cybersecurity and computer science education.
Enrico Molinari is an Innovation Manager and Digital Transformation Leader for Corporate and SMBs at CMO GovTech, and a Professor in Economics, Marketing Management, GovTech, and the Metaverse. He serves as a board member, European Commission advisor, journalist, and global keynote speaker, specialising in FinTech, Metaverse, Digital Transformation, and emerging technologies.
Michael O'Farrell is the Founder of The Mobile Institute and a global expert in the mobile and digital industry, with experience in product innovation, corporate development, and mobile internet strategies. He is a lead author, speaker, and contributor to international forums and publications, advising organisations and mobile operators worldwide.
Shira Rubinoff is the CEO of The Cybersphere Group, a recognised cybersecurity and AI executive, advisor, author, and keynote speaker, with expertise in human factors in information technology and security. She has founded multiple cybersecurity companies, serves on several boards, and is a leading global influencer in the cybersecurity domain.
Maaike Doyer is the Founder of Epic Angels and Global CFO of Business Models Inc, specialising in strategy, business model innovation, and organisational transformation. She is a professor, keynote speaker, and mentor, supporting multinational organisations and start-up accelerators in strategy, design thinking, and innovation.
Andrena Logue is the Founder and Principal at Experiential HealthTech, specialising in healthcare technology strategy, market intelligence, and growth planning. She advises enterprise leaders and tech vendors on portfolio management, market expansion, and ecosystem convergence across healthcare, public sector, and telecom industries.
Fabio Turel is an IT Strategy expert at Generali Switzerland, specialising in project management, portfolio management, and the establishment of PMOs for individual projects and organisations.
Deborah Collier M.Sc. FRSA is the President of Digital Skills Authority and a futurist leader, strategist, author, and keynote speaker, specialising in business, digital, education, and media. She serves on multiple boards, develops frameworks for sustainability and digital governance, and is recognised as a top global thought leader in business strategy, legal & IP, and emerging technologies.
Robbrecht van Amerongen is Head of Strategy at AMIS and Head of IoT at Conclusion, specialising in industrial IoT, blockchain, and data integration. He advises on Industry 4.0 solutions, smart cities, and sustainable technologies, combining business vision with technical expertise to drive innovation and value for organisations.
Ryan Hamze is a Director in the Smart Manufacturing advisory group, specialising in Industry 4.0/5.0, Generative AI, and digital transformation. He is a recognised thought leader in smart manufacturing, digital engineering, and AI, and hosts the “Tales of Dark Factories: Industry 5.0” podcast.
Michael Krigsman is an Industry Analyst and host of CXOTalk, recognised for his expertise in innovation, digital transformation, and executive leadership. He has conducted nearly 1,000 live executive interviews, published extensively, and serves as a keynote speaker and expert panel moderator at global conferences.
Antonio Santos is Senior Business Intelligence and Innovation Evangelist at Atos, specialising in digital transformation, business intelligence, and social business. He is a social media influencer, digital consultant, and social entrepreneur, with expertise in accessibility, digital inclusion, IoT, and future of work initiatives.
Ton Dobbe is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Value Inspiration, specialising in entrepreneurship, B2B SaaS growth, and strategic product marketing. He is an author, podcast host, and global influencer on startups, innovation, and business acceleration.
Matthew Rosenquist is the Founder, CISO, and Cybersecurity Strategist at Cybersecurity Insights, specialising in emerging risks, security operations, and industry best practices. He is a keynote speaker, advisor, and author, collaborating with business, academia, and government to advance cybersecurity strategies.
Samiran Ghosh is the Co-Founder of unblox Solutions and a senior advisor in fintech, AI, and blockchain, with extensive experience in digital platforms, hyperautomation, and smart city solutions. He is a TEDx speaker, author, board member, and contributor to leading journals and global technology councils.
Prof Bill Buchanan OBE, PhD, FBCS
Prof Bill Buchanan OBE, PhD, FBCS is a Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, leading the Centre for Distributed Computing, Networks, and Security and The Cyber Academy. He is a Fellow of BCS and IET, an OBE recipient for services to cybersecurity, author of over 28 books and 260 papers, and founder of multiple cybersecurity spin-out companies.
Steven Van Belleghem is the Co-Founder and Partner at Nexxworks, an international keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur specialising in the future of customer experience. He is a marketing professor, board member, and investor, with multiple bestselling books and extensive global speaking experience.
Filiberto Amati is a Partner at Amati & Associates, specialising in branding, innovation, design thinking, and route-to-market strategies. He advises global clients across FMCG, luxury, consumer electronics, and retail, combining consumer insights, traditional consulting, and creative approaches to drive growth and international expansion.
Michael J Keegan is a Leadership Fellow at the IBM Center for The Business of Government and host of the Business of Government Hour, specialising in public sector leadership and government innovation.
James Castle is the CEO and Founder of Terranova Aerospace and Defense Group, including Terranova Cyber Solutions, Terranova Aerospace, and Terranova Maritime Security, specialising in cybersecurity, aerospace, and defense operations. He is also the Founder of Terranova Defense NFP (Cyber Security Global Alliance) and serves as Chief Cybersecurity Advisor for the Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Kevin Delaney is a Thought Leader, writer, editor, and podcast producer at Cisco, specialising in digital transformation and global technology trends. He reports and produces content on the impact of technology across industries, cultures, and continents.
Amit Joshi is the Co-Founder of HashPrix, specialising in blockchain and crypto projects across healthcare, payments, aerospace, exchanges, and gaming. He is a mentor and advisor with experience in strategy consulting and product management.
Gerry Christensen is the Founder and CEO of Mind Commerce, an ICT strategy and analyst firm specialising in AI, broadband, computing, data analytics, immersive technologies, and Director of Product Management at 46 Labs.
About Thinkers360
Thinkers360 is a leading global platform for thought leadership and influencer engagement, designed to connect professionals, organisations, and brands with the best minds in business and technology. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem where thought leaders can showcase their expertise, build their profiles, and share their insights across a range of emerging and critical topics.
Thinkers360 goes beyond traditional influencer metrics by focusing on authentic thought leadership rather than social media popularity. The platform evaluates contributors based on their personally authored content, including articles, blogs, books, keynote speeches, podcasts, videos, and webinars. This approach ensures that recognition is rooted in expertise, innovation, and meaningful contributions rather than superficial metrics like follower counts or hashtags.
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Pallavi Singal
Editor
Pallavi Singal is the Vice President of Content at ztudium, where she leads innovative content strategies and oversees the development of high-impact editorial initiatives. With a strong background in digital media and a passion for storytelling, Pallavi plays a pivotal role in scaling the content operations for ztudium's platforms, including Businessabc, Citiesabc, and IntelligentHQ, Wisdomia.ai, MStores, and many others. Her expertise spans content creation, SEO, and digital marketing, driving engagement and growth across multiple channels. Pallavi's work is characterised by a keen insight into emerging trends in business, technologies like AI, blockchain, metaverse and others, and society, making her a trusted voice in the industry.
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