From Local AI to Global AI: Lessons learned from the Global Assessment on Responsible AI in Cities
Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance
Session 143
The session is exploring the global landscape of AI adoption and its transformative impact on urban environments. Recent AI innovations are revolutionizing how cities manage public services and infrastructure, addressing challenges like traffic congestion, energy consumption, and waste management. Our discussion will focus on responsible AI governance, emphasizing ethical development, deployment, and usage to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
We will delve into findings from a comprehensive Global assessment of AI implementation at the city level, highlighting both the potential benefits and the significant challenges. Case studies will showcase diverse AI applications in urban settings, revealing improvements in service delivery, accessibility, and security. However, we will also address concerns about bias, discrimination, and privacy violations, advocating for a holistic approach to responsible AI that aligns with international human rights principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This session aims to empower city leaders and stakeholders with actionable insights, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships, strategic planning, and robust data governance frameworks. We will discuss organizational challenges, including gaps in political and managerial leadership, digital literacy, and regulatory capacities. Special attention will be given to technical challenges faced by cities, particularly in the Global South, such as expertise gaps, interoperability issues, and cybersecurity weaknesses.
Join us to gain valuable lessons and considerations for guiding responsible AI governance, fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the current state of AI adoption in cities worldwide.
- Insights into responsible AI governance and its importance.
- Case studies demonstrating the impact of AI on urban challenges.
- Addressing ethical concerns and aligning AI with human rights and SDGs.
- Actionable recommendations for city leaders to enhance AI governance and implementation.
- Be part of this critical conversation on shaping the future of AI in our cities responsibly and effectively.
Soumaya Ben Dhaou is research specialist at the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Government (UNU-EGOV), a think-tank dedicated to multidisciplinary research on digital transformation to empowered democratic citizenship, trustworthy public infrastructures, more inclusive societies and, in broad terms, sustainable development. Her expertise lies in Digital Governance, emerging technologies, smart cities, digital innovation and research policy.
She is leading the research line on "Digital transformation, Innovation and Emerging Technologies", investigating the potentials of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain IoT and Data Analytics and their impact on transforming urban centres and settlements, Government and public service. She is currently investigating with her team “the leapfrogging strategies with emerging technologies in Africa” and exploring the implications of the most recent technologies such as Metaverse and Generative AI on Government and Public Service.
Livia Schaeffer Nonos has a background in International Relations, Human geography and fintech. At UN-HABITAT, her work includes people centred smart cities, human rights and digital technologies, responsible AI and innovation methodologies.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
Action Line C1: The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development. The session emphasizes the crucial role of governments and stakeholders in guiding responsible AI governance. By discussing the regulatory frameworks and the involvement of city leaders in AI implementation, your session promotes the use of ICTs for urban development and aligns with the goal of enhancing public governance.
Action Line C3: Access to information and knowledge. The session highlights the need for transparency in AI policies and the dissemination of knowledge on AI technologies. This aligns with Action Line C3's focus on ensuring equitable access to information and knowledge, particularly through responsible AI practices.
Action Line C4: Capacity building. By addressing gaps in digital literacy among city employees and the need for expertise in developing AI models, your session contributes to capacity building. This supports Action Line C4’s objective of enhancing human and institutional capacity through education and training.
Action Line C5: Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs. The discussion on cybersecurity weaknesses, privacy concerns, and the importance of robust data governance frameworks directly aligns with Action Line C5. The session aims to build confidence in AI technologies by advocating for secure and ethical AI practices.
Action Line C6: Enabling environment: The session’s focus on developing strong partnerships, strategic planning, and governance frameworks creates an enabling environment for responsible AI adoption. This supports Action Line C6's goal of fostering policy environments conducive to ICT development.
Action Line C7: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life: By showcasing AI applications in urban governance, public service delivery, and addressing urban challenges, your session demonstrates the benefits of ICT in various aspects of urban life. This aligns with Action Line C7’s aim to improve quality of life through ICT applications.
Action Line C10: Ethical dimensions of the Information Society: The emphasis on ethical AI development, transparency, fairness, and alignment with international human rights principles ties directly into Action Line C10. The session promotes the ethical dimensions of AI use in urban settings.
Action Line C11: International and regional cooperation. The session’s global assessment and focus on lessons from cities worldwide support international cooperation. Sharing insights and best practices aligns with Action Line C11’s objective of enhancing cooperation among nations and regions.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
SDG 4: Quality Education. By addressing gaps in digital literacy among city employees and advocating for education and training in AI technologies, your session supports SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The session emphasizes the role of AI in driving innovation and economic growth in urban environments. Responsible AI governance can create new job opportunities and improve working conditions, aligning with SDG 8’s goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. By showcasing AI’s potential to enhance urban infrastructure and service delivery, your session directly contributes to SDG 9. This goal focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequality. The session focuses on discussing biases in AI systems and preventing discrimination. By highlighting the importance of fairness and transparency in AI deployment, it seeks to ensure that AI technologies do not perpetuate existing inequalities or create new forms of discrimination. It also discusses AI governance frameworks that emphasize inclusivity. Ensuring that AI benefits all segments of society, including marginalized and underrepresented groups, aligns with the goal of promoting social, economic, and political inclusion. Special attention is given to the challenges faced by cities in the Global South, including expertise gaps and interoperability issues. By addressing these challenges, the session aims to empower these cities to effectively implement AI technologies, thereby reducing inequalities between developed and developing regions. Enhancing digital literacy among city employees and building organizational capacities are crucial for equitable AI implementation. This supports SDG 10 by ensuring that all regions have the knowledge and skills to leverage AI technologies effectively. The session addresses as well the development of AI systems that are accessible and beneficial to all, including underserved communities. By ensuring fair access to AI-driven improvements in public services and urban governance, the session contributes to reducing inequalities within cities.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The session’s core focus on using AI to address urban challenges like traffic congestion, energy consumption, and waste management supports SDG 11. This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Emphasizing transparency, accountability, and ethical AI governance aligns with SDG 16, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The session highlights the importance of strong partnerships and international cooperation in developing robust AI governance frameworks. This directly supports SDG 17, which aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.