The project aims to thoroughly assess the opportunities and constraints for local government to responsibly implement, use and govern Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in cities. AI in cities project is a Global survey for people-centred cities by considering the fundamentals of service design and how it applies to the AI field while putting at the centre the human side of data. The research paper aims to propose policy recommendations to address capacity gaps in AI in cities and local governance contexts, critically reflect on the use of AI in real-life case studies and advance reasonings on the related implications.
For that, four main research questions will be addressed throughout this research project:
1. What are the current aspirations, including plans, of cities with respect to using AI to improve livelihoods? What opportunities are the low-hanging fruit for cities to benefit from AI?
2. What are cities' current strengths and needs to responsibly use AI to improve public services (e.g., basic urban services, infrastructure, housing, human livelihoods, health and education, etc.) and ultimately improve all living and working conditions?
3. What are the current capacity gaps, governance structures, and mechanisms to address AI-related challenges and ethical, human rights and inclusion implications?
4. What are the opportunities for standardization, cooperation, and multi-stakeholder governance to ensure responsible use of AI in cities? Given AI cuts across geographical places and governance boundaries, to what extent are new inter-city partnerships and platforms helpful or necessary?
Activities
Conduct an inception meeting, compile and refine the inception report based on feedback from IDRC and UN-Habitat, and submit the final version.
Develop the survey's approach, methodology, and questionnaire, refine based on test results and feedback, define and prepare the communication and outreach plan, and distribute the survey.
Conduct desk research, collect international case studies on AI in cities, and perform stakeholder consultations.
Draft the research paper, develop policy recommendations, facilitate the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to gather feedback, finalize the research paper based on the EGM insights, and translate the paper into French.
Deliverables
D1. Research Plan
D2. Communication and outreach material
D3. Desk review of the use of AI in cities
D4. Draft version of the research paper
D5. Expert Group Meeting
D6. Research paper (English version)
D7. Research paper (French Version)
