The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) is pleased to announce the release of several key publications as part of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible and sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) in urban environments. These works are the result of a collaborative project aimed at assessing and advancing the role of AI in creating people-centred smart cities, with a focus on inclusivity and governance.
The first publication, "Global Assessment of Responsible AI in Cities - Research and Recommendations to Leverage AI for People-centred Smart Cities", commissioned by UN-Habitat and funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), provides an in-depth overview of the AI landscape in urban settings. The report, led by researchers Soumaya Ben Dhaou and Tupokigwe Isagah, identifies governance practices, capacity gaps, and recommends inclusive AI applications for cities worldwide, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This report had critical support from Charmaine Distor and Inês Campos Ruas. Contributors include João Martins, Judy Backhouse, and Larissa Magalhães. Key findings include:
- The crucial role of governance structures, practices, and culture in the successful integration of AI technologies in cities.
- The identification of capacity gaps and needs, leading to recommendations for more responsible AI applications.
- A call for inclusive AI governance that considers the experiences and needs of cities in the Global South, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
You can access it on our Collections here.
