Global Assessment of Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Research and recommendations to leverage AI for people-centred smart cities
Ben Dhaou, Soumaya, Isagah, Tupokigwe, Distor, Charmaine and Ruas, Inês (2024). Global Assessment of Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Research and recommendations to leverage AI for people-centred smart cities. United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
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Author Ben Dhaou, Soumaya
Isagah, Tupokigwe
Distor, Charmaine
Ruas, InêsEditor Schaeffer Nonose, Livia Title Global Assessment of Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Research and recommendations to leverage AI for people-centred smart cities Publication Date 2024 Place of Publication Nairobi Publisher United Nations Human Settlements Programme Pages 86 Language eng Abstract In an era defined by unprecedented urbanization and technological evolution, cities worldwide facing complex urban challenges perceive Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key consideration. Recognizing the urgency of designing, implementing, and governing AI for cities responsibly, this report presents a global assessment of AI in cities. It provides an overview of the current AI landscape and informs about the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that AI presents for urban environments from the global survey and case studies repository. Also, the report identifies the capacity gaps and needs and proposes recommendations for a more responsible application of AI in cities. The rapid and widespread adoption of AI across the world requires a consolidated governance of AI, based on international cooperation at a global level, and derived from the experiences of people living in cities, at the local level. The Global Assessment draws attention to the significant increase in the adoption of AI technologies by cities worldwide, highlighting the critical role of governance structure, practices, and culture. Case studies showcased diverse AI implementations in urban environments, ranging from simple chatbots for public service delivery (24%) to complex integrations for city governance (35%) and future planning (26%). AI has shown promising benefits, including saving time (57%), better city management (53%), service effectiveness (49%), and more security in the cities (45%) in addressing various urban challenges, including mobility, energy consumption, water and waste management, urban planning, safety, healthcare, and education. Further, the assessment reveals persistent challenges such as cost of implementation (58%), personal data protection (53%), lack of laws and regulations (45%), and the lack of knowledge and skills (45%) to achieving Responsible AI in cities. Cities are concerned about risks related to bias, discrimination, privacy violations, misinformation, and human rights implications raised along with AI adoption. Case studies such as the Automated Social Protection Services in Trelleborg highlighted risks of structural inequalities and unfair treatment in society resulting from the city’s lack of adequate AI governance and strategy. The assessment also highlights the need for multi-level stakeholder engagement with stronger participatory processes. Cities ranking key stakeholder when setting up AI policies ranked legal actors and regulators first (80%), ICT personnel and experts second (78%), policy and decision makers third (63%), and citizens and academia lastly (60%). Regulatory frameworks need to be flexible enough to allow adaptation and experimentation but only 38% of cities that have implemented AI solutions track their performance. Public participation can help to increase feedback given on AI systems and their performances. For global efforts toward AI governance to be truly inclusive, it is crucial to include Latin America, Africa and Asia, the so-called Global South, in governance discussions. Results show, for example, that half of the cities that responded to the survey from Asia and Latin America do not have specific governance initiatives. Without equal participation and perspectives of different regions in global AI governance discussions, the people from these locations will be underrepresented, exacerbating regional divides. Embracing a holistic vision of Responsible AI extends beyond technological considerations. The process demands an approach that aligns with international human rights principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report reveals significant capacity gaps and needs which are categorized into three levels: Organisational capacities, including fostering a creative culture, prioritizing AI education, and establishing approaches to support Responsible AI implementation. Governance and regulatory capacities, including the need for governance measures at the city level and regulatory frameworks for Responsible AI. Technological capacities, particularly in the cities from the Global South, including expertise gaps in developing effective AI models, interoperability issues, and cybersecurity weaknesses in local government settings. This assessment seeks to empower city leaders and stakeholders with actionable insights, fostering the development of AI ecosystems that contribute to the resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability of urban communities. For this to be achieved, a set of recommendations has been developed to guide city leaders and key stakeholders in navigating the complexities of AI adoption, ensuring responsible, inclusive, and sustainable integration: AI for local government and public services Establish foundations for Responsible AI Define a Governance model of Responsible AI Structure the Governance of Responsible AI in Cities Building the Ecosystem of Responsible AI Responsible AI in cities Defining the principle of Responsible AI Prioritizing long-term sustainability Promoting Inclusion and resilience Capabilities of Responsible AI in cities Framing Responsible AI Design Responsible AI Implementing Responsible AI Maintaining/Evaluating/Monitoring AI Keyword Artificial Intelligence
Governance
Capacity building
Sustainability
Cities
Smart CitiesCopyright Holder United Nations Human Settlements Programme Copyright Year 2024 Copyright type All rights reserved -
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