WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2022

AI in Community: Storytelling in Wise Cities

AI in Community allows people to see where AI is, what it does, why it is doing what it does, and have a say in the data it produces.

Overview

SMU Centre for AI and Data Governance (CAIDG) has launched a research initiative “AI in Community” to locate AI and Big Data within communities. It is part of an effort to make Singapore a global leader in the race for Human-Centred AI. The outcomes would transform the relationship between AI designers and the community, such that AI technology would not only be customised for AI clients, but designed with the community in mind.

Modelled after the Stanford HAI (Human-centred Artificial Intelligence), this new research, policy and community outreach initiative builds on CAIDG’s rich experience in target topics of public interest, namely Trustworthy AI, Grassroots Ethics, Responsible COVID Surveillance Technology, Fair Platform Economies, Safe Automated Vehicles, Open Finance, Care Robotics, Citizen-centric Smart Cities, and People-focused Personal Data.

Features

AI in Community allows people to see where AI is, what it does, why it is doing what it does, and have a say in the data it produces. Public confidence in AI depends on answering social concerns and explaining risks. CAIDG has taken on the challenge to listen to these fears and work towards solutions.

The AI in Community initiative will focus on 5 key areas:

1. ‘Kampong’ Ethics

Locating AI in communities (social, industrial, commercial) so that humans and machines are linked by relationships of trust where technology essentially contributes to public good.

2. Smart Cities and AI/Big Data

Singapore’s Smart Nation policy has a citizen-centric core. Consistent with this commitment is the need to position AI and big data alongside the community to improve the quality of life.

3. Digital Self-determination

In a world drowning in data, it is time to ensure that data subjects have management of their data in safe data spaces.

4. Open Finance

The days of paper money are almost over. Along with digital finance in every aspect of commercial activity, it is critical that open finance brings the ecosystem closer to true customer-centricity.

5. Positive Surveillance

COVID-19 has taken us into a new normal where our movement, association and daily habits are monitored. How can we be confident that surveillance and privacy are not in conflict?

Benefits

The research will identify AI as a trusted tool to nurture positive community perspectives and to improve the public’s understanding of it. By exploring the way that AI and data can be a part of the community, CAIDG aims to debunk the public’s perception that benefits and risks associated with AI and mass data sharing are beyond their control. AI would no longer be seen as a problem, but as a solution to current and future sustainability matters.

Researchers: Prof Mark Findlay ; Ong Li Min and Zhang Wenxi,Centre for AI & Governance, SMU Yong Pung How School of Law

Learn more about the research here .

Access the full study here .

This study was featured at SMU’s booth at the World Cities Summit 2022 exhibition.