GOUAI: The observatory that humanizes urban AI

What if Barcelona, ​​London, and Amsterdam became global beacons of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) in cities? That’s the driving force behind the Global Observatory of Urban Artificial Intelligence (GOUAI). It’s a joint initiative of CIDOB, the three cities, and UN-Habitat, under the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.

GOUAI was created to fill a gap. There’s a lot of AI in cities, but little guidance on how to apply it transparently, responsibly, and fairly. This is where its founding principles come into play: equity, transparency, privacy, security, sustainability, and accountability.

Atlas of Urban AI

Its flagship project is the Atlas of Urban AI, a collaborative repository that compiles dozens of real-world use cases in cities around the world. Each initiative is geolocated, categorized by sector (government, mobility, health, etc.), and evaluated according to GOUAI’s ethical standards. Furthermore, its first report reveals that 80% of the examples come from North America and Europe. It reflects the strong interest of these territories in implementing urban AI with ethical values.

How can we truly promote “algorithmic democracy”? In July 2022, the Atlas was presented in Barcelona alongside a debate at Cal’Alier under this theme. The session brought together city representatives and experts such as Daniel Innerarity and Carina Lopes. It also included panels on AI registries, ethical clauses in public procurement, and digital rights.

Trustworthy Cities

In addition to its repository and discussions, GOUAI shares useful resources. These include a documentary (Trustworthy Cities), a self-assessment guide, monographs, and training modules. Everything is designed to help local governments strengthen their capacity to implement AI ethically.

In short, GOUAI is much more than a map. It is an ideal space for reflection, learning, and collaboration for cities to shape a more humane, just, and sustainable digital future.