Privacy and data governance in urban AI

The development of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, as envisioned by the European AI Act, must include robust mechanisms for privacy and data management. In the context of public-urban environments, the processing of personal data through AI systems presents specific challenges that public authorities will need to address carefully. In light of this new legislative framework, the purpose of this article is to: (i) present the legal and ethical framework regulating the processing of personal data via AI systems in urban settings; (ii) outline key mechanisms to implement the principle of privacy; and (iii) examine the challenges associated with such data processing practices, providing a set of recommendations and best practices.