Page 25 - U4SSC Guiding principles for artificial intelligence in cities

4.1 Leadership, governance, and regulations

National and local governments’ leadership and regulatory support can expedite and ease the
AI principles implementation. Table 2 illustrates how national and local governments can play an
enabling role through examples.

Table 2: Examples of leadership, governance, and regulatory enablers

Enabler Enabler Examples
National National leaders can educate and influence AI principles’ target stakeholders
Government through soft power steps (e.g., creating awareness programmes). It is also
Leadership desirable to explain the AI principals to inhabitants and communities in a simple
way, and to involve them in the selection of potential values and principles.
Awareness programmes can be developed in diverse ways such as through think-
tanks, policy dialogues, general debates and/or lectures. Mutual understanding
of AI principles between government leaders and their stakeholders will warrant
acceptance and confidence during the implementation.

On the other hand, government leaders could also foster AI principles
implementation through hard power by adjusting or creating policies, building
AI-friendly platforms and infrastructure, and developing AI government
leadership and skills, through
• National strategies on Artificial Intelligence;
• Network(s) of AI experts;
• National and local committees for AI principles;
• Funding mechanisms for AI-related activities;
• Legal framework (e.g., regulatory and legal support for AI);
• Training plans for relevant public sector staff on the field;
• Incentives to promote AI entrepreneurships: fiscal/non-fiscal rewards;
• Public-private partnerships on AI applications; and
• International Partnerships on AI research, standardization, and shared
experiences.
City & Elected City & elected officials can develop the local AI ecosystem through:
Officials' Leadership • Building AI awareness at a city level related to community concerns;

• Developing procurement policies and requirements that incentivize ethical AI
deployments;
• Support the innovation of AI implementations for businesses in urban contexts;
• Shared infrastructure and resources (e.g., innovation hubs, AI Valley);
• City adapted policies to incentivize AI (e.g., AI procurement policies in the
public sector, lower taxes for companies developing AI solutions, funds to
support research and development);
• Conducting AI trainings and implementation of AI toolboxes; and
• Participation in national, regional, and international city associations and
organizations for AI.

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