if countries overlook the soft components of the ict rollout such as skills education local content inclusive policies participation and institutional accountability the impacts of the digital revolution will fall short in the spirit of inclusive knowledge cities broadband infrastructure and softcomponents need to be conceived and rolled out jointly to ensure a future humancentred sustainable city development although automation may lead to loss of jobs smart and knowledge cities will lead to the creation of jobs in it data analysis research and in the sociocultural and environmental sectors