A smart city focuses on enhancing and interconnecting facilities and services through digital technology to offer convenient services for both people and businesses. The basic infrastructure of smart cities consists of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and artificial intelligence. These urban areas utilize different networks, such as the Internet and IoT, to share real-time information, improving convenience for the inhabitants. However, the reliance of smart cities on modern technologies exposes them to a range of organized, diverse, and sophisticated cyber threats. Therefore, prioritizing cybersecurity awareness and implementing appropriate measures and solutions are essential to protect the privacy and security of citizens. This study aims to identify cyber threats and their impact on smart cities, as well as the methods and measures required for key areas such as smart government, smart healthcare, smart mobility, smart environment, smart economy, smart living, and smart people. Furthermore, this study seeks to evaluate previous research in this field, establish necessary policies to mitigate these threats, and propose an appropriate model for the infrastructure associated with IT networks in smart cities.

Good health and well-being are embedded in the 3rd Goal amongst the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The primary objective of this research was to identify the most critical economic, social, and administrative barriers to implementing the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. A sequential exploratory design and case study technique were used, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first stage, in-depth interviews with 50 key officials were conducted to identify the most critical barriers to the EPI program. A quantitative analysis was then performed based on the results obtained from qualitative analysis, and rank orders of barriers were received from the same health department experts. The results indicate that twenty-eight barriers can cause implementation problems for this program. Still, the ten barriers that gained the maximum hits are the most important barriers, which include Shortage of vaccinators, mismanagement of vaccines’ cold chain, biometric android application, ice-lined refrigerators, communication gap, inadequate legislation of EPI program, capacity building issues with EPI staff, Misconceptions about EPI program, lack of awareness of the parents and community, refusal cases and inadequate cooperation of lady health workers (LHWs). Coordinated efforts of the government and the public are highly recommended to address these barriers.

This study examined the factors influencing online purchases among consumers in Bangladesh, employing a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data from 353 individuals in Bangladesh revealed that perceived ease of use, social influence, security, convenience, trust, emotional experience, and functional experience significantly positively affect the intention to purchase online. Additionally, results show that the intention to purchase online significantly positively affects actual online purchases. Findings further highlighted that intention to make online purchases mediated the influence of perceived ease of use, social influence, security, convenience, trust, emotional experience, and functional experience over online purchases. The study provides significant practical recommendations to help businesses and consumers support online purchasing with diverse advantages.

This study assesses Vietnam’s state-level implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and analyses the government’s efforts to encourage AI implementation by focusing on the National Strategy on AI Development Program. This study emphasizes the possibility of implementing AI at the state level in Vietnam and the importance of conducting continuous reviews and enhancements to achieve sustainable and inclusive AI growth. Impact evaluations were conducted in public organizations alone, and implication evaluations were considered optional. AI impact assessments were constrained by societal norms that necessitated establishing relationships among findings. There is a lack of official information regarding the positive impact of Vietnam’s AI policy on the development of AI infrastructure, research, and talent pools. The study’s findings highlight the necessity of facilitating extensive AI legislation, and strengthening international cooperation. The study concludes with the following recommendations for improving Vietnam’s AI policy: implementing a strong AI governance structure and supporting AI education and awareness.

The rapid advancement of financial technology (Fintech) has revolutionized the way financial transactions are conducted, with E-payment services becoming increasingly integral to daily commerce. This paper examines consumer perceptions and attitudes towards E-payment services offered by Fintech companies, identifying key factors that influence their acceptance and usage. Employing a quantitative approach, the research integrates quantitative data from surveys and applied SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) through AMOS. Out of 450, 420 respondents have given their views on perceptual preferences and attitudes with the help of SPSS. KMO and Bartlett’s Test are executed to understand and to check the factors for implementing factor analysis further through extractions. Anticipated findings are expected to reveal a spectrum of consumer attitudes shaped by factors such as trust, security, convenience, and technological familiarity. It contributes to the existing literature by providing updated insights into consumer behaviour in the Fintech sector and suggesting actionable strategies for service providers to enhance user engagement and satisfaction. It holds the potential to inform both theoretical frameworks in technology acceptance and practical marketing strategies for Fintech companies aiming to optimize E-payment services for diverse consumer bases.

The article addresses the issue of educational development policy in Ukraine: the main trends and ways, means, technologies of their implementation. It has been observed that educational policy is developing and changing under the influence of such factors as Russia’s military actions against our country, European integration and globalisation. It has been taken into account that globalisation trends in the world integration, according to which globalisation processes should be reflected not only in the foreign economic, political or technological spheres, but also, as a consequence, in the development of technologies for training future teachers. Integration of digital technologies in the educational process is one of the key tendencies in the modern educational policy in Ukraine. The characteristics of the most used technologies of augmented reality in the modern school of Ukraine have been outlined. The algorithm for displaying generalized information about a particular application was proposed, namely: payment, accessibility, language, system requirements; learning opportunities; practical value; website; video about the application. The model of the formation of future teachers’ skills to use augmented reality technologies in the process of natural sciences studying has been proposed. We consider it as a component of a holistic system of future teachers’ professional training. The conceptual basis for the development of the model is a multi-subject educational paradigm, which is considered to be open, self-developing and self-organizing, causing a fundamental change in the behavior and relationships of the educational process participants. The proposed model is implemented in the authors’ methodological system, which ensures the interconnected activities of all participants in the educational process. Its systemic factor is the goal of improving the quality of the future natural sciences teachers’ professional training by developing their skills in using AR technology. The end result is an increase in the level of future natural sciences teachers’ readiness to use AR technology in their professional activities.