A starting framework for urban AI applications

There has been a growing concern about the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in urban environments. Scholars have highlighted the dual nature of AI, which can both enhance urban sustainability and pose significant privacy risks. The literature acknowledges that AI introduces specific challenges in urban contexts. However, there remains a gap in comprehensive sector-specific ethical frameworks tailored to the unique challenges posed by AI applications in cities. This study aims to fill this gap by proposing a starting framework for the ethics of Urban AI applications, providing principles to guide responsible AI development and deployment in urban settings. The study employed a two-phase methodology: a content analysis of 100 AI ethics documents to develop a preliminary framework, followed by a survey of experts and stakeholders to validate and expand this framework by identifying urban-specific risks and ethical considerations. The developed ethical framework for Urban AI applications provides a starting point to pave the way for ethical and sustainable urban AI systems that enhance the quality of life for all city residents.