Artificial intelligence integration in smart cities is in turn becoming a transforming force that is fundamentally changing the urban development and management of cities all over the world. This comprehensive review examines the profound impact of AI technologies across six critical domains of smart cities: But that’s not all she managed to change: governance, economy, mobility, environment, living conditions, citizen engagement. To achieve this, this research examines how best to provide recommendations across cases, derived from thorough empirical analysis of the current implementation of AI in urban environments, emerging technologies with potential for urban AI integration, and practical application of AI in the built environment through informative case studies. According to our findings, AI could be a game changer for cities seeking to extend their capabilities and enhance the quality of life for their people but more serious challenges remain, specifically around data privacy, ethical issues, infrastructure readiness, and public acceptance. This paper provides a robust framework to understand the technological grounds, as well as the practical effect of AI driven smart city initiatives, and provides useful insights, to policymakers, urban planners and technology practitioners involved in smart city development.