Smart Cities are urban centers characterized by integrating advanced technologies, digital infrastructures convergence, and data-driven decision-making to enhance the quality of life for urban residents. They utilize innovative solutions to optimize urban operations, improve resource management, and foster sustainability. Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are central to Smart Cities, they provide powerful tools that enable cities to optimize resource utilization, streamline operations, and respond to changing needs. Smart cities provide a platform for testing and implementing emerging technologies, such as 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and (AI) solutions. This paper is an attempt to explore the intersection of AI and smart sustainable cities, focusing on the increasing role of AI-driven technologies in creating more sustainable urban environments, it presents initiatives from Arabic cities using (AI) applications to support sustainable urban development and improve citizens’ quality of life. The method applied for this research included a literature review about definitions and key elements of a smart city, and selected case studies of Arabic cities ranked among the (SCI) Smart City Index 2024 of the International Institute for Management Development Switzerland (IMD), these cities serve as valuable examples, offering insights into the diverse applications of (AI), providing real-world illustrations of the integration of (AI) technologies with a specific focus on building sustainable and efficient urban settings. The research conclusion asserts the futuristic potential of (AI) to promote sustainable urban environments, address urban difficulties, boost efficiency, and improve quality of life within smart cities.