New digital divides in the algorithmic city: the implications for urban governance

Knowledge Synthesis Grant: Envisioning Governance Systems that Work
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Project title: New digital divides in the algorithmic city: the implications for urban governance
Call theme: Digital governance and democracy
Call sub-theme: How is the development of novel technologies, such as AI, impacting issues of governance, and vice versa?
Project partner: Western University, Canada
University of Plymouth researcher: Professor Katharine Willis
 
Cities are increasingly embedded with sensors of many kinds, and these sensor networks typically use forms of AI and algorithmic decision-making. AI is recognised as having impacts on ethics, privacy and inclusion in cities. The literature on AI and specifically AI literacy is growing rapidly and demonstrates the role that AI literacy plays in shaping not only how these technologies are understood, including their social and economic impacts, but also citizens' trust in AI and governance. One of the core concerns when it comes to smart cities and communities is that, despite the abundance of data, many marginalised social groups are susceptible to technological invisibility.
Research examining the deployment of AI in cities and communities highlights a range of social benefits but has not sufficiently addressed the varying impacts on different social groups. One of the primary concerns regarding smart cities and communities is that, despite the abundance of data, many marginalised social groups are vulnerable to technological invisibility. A further concern arises regarding citizens' data once it is collected and how that data will be utilised. The goal of this review on interventions is not only to identify AI literacy interventions that are effective and targeted to specific social groups, but also to highlight gaps in terms of marginalised populations whose AI literacy may be low. In order to do this, we will engage in knowledge mobilisation targeted at policy makers, NGOs, cities and the general public.
 

Project objectives

  • Literature review: synthesise peer-reviewed literature on AI literacy and social equity, and identify social impacts of AI in cities on women, gender relations, gender equality and social equity;
  • Measurement tool compilation: develop a comprehensive spreadsheet of AI literacy measurement scales used in research today;
  • Intervention evaluation: identify and evaluate existing AI literacy interventions, with a focus on their reach, inclusivity, and effectiveness across diverse populations.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of the project are not only to identify AI literacy interventions that are effective and targeted to specific social groups, but also to highlight gaps in terms of marginalised populations in cities.
We aim to enable knowledge transfer with the stakeholders who can address the implications of this and implement changes at a policy level – through new practices in cities through NGOs and activists who work with AI policy change – and also stimulate new academic knowledge that informs further study.
 

Knowledge mobilisation strategy

We will assemble, analyse and synthesise existing scientific research and policy literature on these topics over the last 10 years. In order to ensure effective dissemination, exchange and engagement, we will mobilise knowledge transfer with stakeholders, including policy, city, general public and academic audiences.
Findings from this project will enable Canadian and UK city governments as well as policy think tanks and NGOs to understand the nature of digital divides and AI literacy with respect to AI in the city and the corresponding implications for governance and policy.
The project will engage librarians and educators, policymakers and NGOs in the following activities:
  • Two panels (live and recorded for sharing on social media) in collaboration with NGOs such as MediaSmarts and Connected by Data
  • Two policy briefs published in collaboration with NGOs
  • Thort videos for social media that summarise key findings in lay language
  • Two op-eds for news media venues such as The Conversation and the American Library Association newsletter
  • Five presentations and two stakeholder workshops in the UK and Canada.
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Broader impacts

We aim to build new capacities in stakeholder groups regarding AI literacy and urban matters. We will inform the implementation of new AI urban policies that address AI divides.
The primary aim is to identify gaps in AI literacy concerning AI in cities and evaluate interventions to enhance understanding and awareness of AI, leading to improved city governance and democratic processes.
We will collaborate closely with partners such as MediaSmarts and public libraries to provide guidance in implementing AI literacy programmes tailored for the general public, with the goal of increasing AI inclusion to mitigate inequalities in how AI is applied in cities.
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Funded by

This project is funded by the SSHRC, in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the programme: Knowledge Synthesis Grants which aims to mobilise, examine and synthesise social sciences and humanities research on Envisioning Governance Systems that Work. The resulting knowledge syntheses will identify roles the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive, equitable societies, and could inform development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies, and sustainable practices needed to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.

Project team

 

Project partners