Deciding together on AI in the city with a new handbook
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How can we ensure that AI and other smart technologies in public spaces are not only efficient, but also align with residents’ values and needs? This question was the focus of the presentation of the handbook Residents-in-the-loop: Deciding Together on AI in the City on 23 June at Pakhuis de Zwijger.
The handbook was developed by Mike de Kreek and Tessa Steenkamp from the Civic Interaction Design research group at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. It brings together the insights gained from four years of research within the Human Values for Smarter Cities project and offers fifty practical methods for actively involving residents in technological developments in the city.
From public participation to collaboration
During the event, researchers, policymakers and professionals discussed public values, transparency and the societal impact of AI and other digital technologies. A key message that emerged during the afternoon was that residents should not only be involved once a technology has already been developed, but right from the start of the design and decision-making process.
The design of your technology should encourage public involvement, whether that is requested or unsolicited.
Tessa Steenkamp
Designresearcher Civic Interaction Design
Together with Mike de Kreek, she explained the Co-creation Cycle, a method from the handbook that demonstrates how residents can contribute ideas, help design and take part in decision-making throughout the entire development process. Using practical examples, it became clear how participation can be put into practice in the context of technological innovations in the city.
A discussion on public values
As well as the presentation of the handbook, the social and governance challenges posed by AI were also a key focus. Marc Steen (TNO) discussed the role of virtue ethics.
During the panel discussions, speakers including Thijs Turèl (Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions), Eelco Thiellier (City of Amsterdam), Munish Ramlal (Amsterdam Metropolitan Region), Kars Alfrink (Delft University of Technology) and Jiska Engelbert (Erasmus University Rotterdam / Leiden University) discussed questions such as: when is transparency sufficient, how do you organise sustained resident participation, and how do you incorporate public values into the development of technology?
First edition copy for the City of Amsterdam
The first copy of the handbook was presented to Ger Baron, Chief Technology Officer of the City of Amsterdam.
With ‘Residents-in-the-loop’, the Civic Interaction Design research group offers designers, policymakers and other professionals practical guidance on how to give residents a structural role in the development of AI and other smart technologies in public spaces.
