AI Localism - Empowering Communities Through Digital Self-Determination

Date: 17 April 2024

Time: 04:00 PM

Description: As part of AI Week 2024, The Governance Lab and Urban AI are happy to present a panel discussion that delves deep into AI Localism, focusing on how this approach can foster digital self-determination at the local level. AI Week 2024 offers a platform for critical discussions on the role of AI in society, bringing together leaders from the government, tech, and education sectors. This panel is set against the backdrop of a week-long exploration of AI's transformative potential, and aims to deep dive into how AI is governed at the local level, emphasizing empowerment and digital self-determination within communities. Our discussion will spotlight the innovative strategies cities like Bordeaux, Brussels, and Portland are employing to ensure that AI governance is not only inclusive but also empowers residents to have a say in how AI is integrated into their daily lives. By emphasizing digital self-determination, we aim to explore paths toward a governance model that reflects the collective values, expectations, and preferences of communities. Panelists: - Jackie Lu, Founder at Helpful Places - Antoine Bidegain, Vice Head Europe Chapter - Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (Bordeaux, France) - Hector Dominguez, Open Data Coordinator - City of Portland (Portland, US) - Carl Morch, Co-Director - FARI (Brussels, Belgium) What You Will Learn: - An understanding of AI Localism and its significance in enhancing digital self-determination within communities. - Participatory approaches for AI governance that prioritize community empowerment and digital self-determination. - Case studies on pioneering inclusive and responsive AI governance models. Who Should Attend: This panel is for anyone involved in or interested in the ethical governance of AI, including policymakers, tech professionals, urban planners, community leaders, and AI enthusiasts looking to ensure AI technologies benefit their communities. Agenda [4:00 PM - 4:05 PM]: Introduction: The Pillars of AI Localism and Its Relevance to Self-Determination - Welcome and introduction by Dr Stefaan Verhulst, Co-Founder and Chief Research and Development Officer at The Governance Lab (The GovLab). The introduction will focus on the importance of digital self-determination in AI governance. [4:15 PM - 4:45 PM]: Panel Discussion: AI Localism in Action - Insights on AI Localism from Brussels, Portland, and Bordeaux. The panel will be moderated by Hubert Beroche, Founder of Urban AI, and Sara Marcucci, Research Fellow at The GovLab. [4:45 PM - 5:00 PM]: Live Q&A Session - Attendees submit questions via chat; selected questions are answered live. About AI Week: AI Week 2024 is a unique, week-long festival showcasing the latest in AI innovation and its impact across various sectors. With the rapid advancement in generative AI and other AI applications, AI Week offers an exclusive look into how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world and highlights the importance of coming together to lead in its responsible development. About The GovLab: The GovLab is an action research center that seeks to strengthen the ability of institutions—including but not limited to governments—and people to work more openly, collaboratively, effectively and legitimately to make better decisions and solve public problems, leveraging new technology and science. Founded at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University, The GovLab approaches all of its work in an interdisciplinary manner, regularly partnering with members of our global network spanning relevant domains including data science, technology, law, policy informatics, design, and management science. About UrbanAI: Urban AI is a Paris-based think tank dedicated to the emerging field of “Urban Artificial Intelligence.” Given the highly complex and human-centered nature of urban systems, scholarship and practical implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in cities requires a uniquely multidisciplinary lens. For this reason, Urban AI seeks to generate a holistic body of knowledge on urban artificial intelligence by federating and collaborating with a growing, global community of researchers, public servants, start-ups, and urban subject matter experts, who work at the intersection of cities and technology. They carry out multidisciplinary projects to better understand and assess the impacts of artificial intelligence on urban life and vice versa. Urban AI’s work follows three primary streams: research, events & content, and education.