Webinar "Ethical urban AI in practice: policy mechanisms to establish local governance frameworks"

Cities are an experimental testing ground for deploying technologies based on emerging technologies, AI and automation. It is laudable that many cities have already started to implement and develop responsible AI in anticipation of specific regulation. Recent research by the Global Observatory on Urban AI (GOUAI) shows that cities worldwide routinely promote policy mechanisms to incentivise responsible AI systems, such as the promotion of specific principles and guidelines, bans or moratoria on specific high-risk algorithmic systems (e.g., real-time facial recognition systems), algorithmic public registries, impact assessments and audits, establishment of external and/or independent oversight bodies, or public procurement clauses that ensure compliance with human rights. These experiences can serve as a roadmap for other public sector players to understand what type of policy mechanisms work to develop responsible AI systems.

Yet, much remains to be done in understanding how to operationalize at the local level concrete ethical principles such as transparency, fairness, privacy protection, accountability, and sustainability when leveraging this technology. In this context, CIDOB has published the CIDOB Monograph "Ethical urban AI in practice: policy mechanisms to establish local governance frameworks” that delves into existing policy mechanisms to operationalize the above-mentioned ethical principles and establish local governance frameworks that promote responsible urban AI on the ground. The aim being to create a useful document which inspires action and serves as a roadmap for other public sector players.