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WASP-HS Community Reference Meetings are dedicated to public and private organizations in Sweden, and for involved actors to learn about challenges and questions of their interest, as well as for WASP-HS to share recent research development within the program in order to identify opportunities for collaboration in different sectors. This particular Community Reference Meeting concerns the issue of sustainability and smart cities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to support urban and rural development and to accelerate global efforts to protect the environment and conserve resources. The technology can do so by detecting energy emission reductions, removing CO2, helping develop greener transportation networks, monitoring deforestation, and predicting extreme weather conditions. When AI technology is used within smart cities it makes it easier to control the traffic, waste and maintenance, energy consumption, pollution risks, and the effects of the environment in the cities. This further leads to smarter decisions, fewer negative impacts on climate change, and improved quality of life.
However, while AI provides unprecedented opportunities for cities and the environment, depending on the framework in which it is used, it may not always result in positive outcomes. For instance, current uses of AI rely greatly on huge amounts of data and computational power which leads to heavy ecological footprints for the companies that develop and use AI.
At this Community Reference Meeting, WASP-HS invites participants to discuss how AI can support progress on these complex environmental and social problems which humans are facing, while also mitigating risks and ensuring fair and inclusive solutions for cities and the environment.
Please note that the whole event takes place online via Zoom and is held in English.
14:00 – Introduction by Virginia Dignum, WASP-HS Program Director and Professor in Responsible AI at Umeå University
14:05-14:30 – Panel discussion
Panellists: Linda Gustafsson, Gender Strategist working for the city of Umeå
Martin Güll, Chief Digital Officer (CDO/CIO), the city of Helsingborg
14:30-15:30 – Roundtable discussions
Autonomous Public Transportation – Getting Across the Smart City
Chair: Fabian Lorig, Assistant Professor, Internet of Things and People Research Center, Malmö University
Co-chair: Mikael Wiberg, Professor, Department of Informatics, Umeå University
Co-chair: Henrik Danielsson, Professor, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL), Linköping University
Abstract Autonomous vehicles and AI have the potential to enable more flexible and sustainable public transportation. We want to discuss how future transportation systems can consider individual needs for mobility of different groups of travelers as well as how autonomous shared transportation affects mobility in smart cities.
AI in Disasters and Crises – From Corona to Climate Change
Chair: Lina Rahm, Assistant Professor at the Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Co-Chair: Tatyana Sarayeva, WASP-HS, Department of Computing Science, Umeå University
Abstract Seeing how crises can be very complex and information-dense situations this round table aims to open up discussions about vulnerabilities but also strengths with the use of AI and autonomous systems in preparedness for, and management of, societal crises and disasters.
From Boomtown to Bust: Being Critical About the Smart City
Chair: Barry Brown, Professor of Human Computer Interaction, Stockholm University
Co-Chair: Mareike Glöss, Digital Futures Postdoctoral Fellow, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Abstract How can we make sure that smart city developments benefit all citizens and city-stakeholders? Can we develop different visions of the smart- ones that are not tied into the interests of technology vendors? How might the smart city be both more equitable and fair, rather than more efficient?
15:30-16:00 – Reflections from the roundtables
Registration is closed. All registered will recieve an e-mail with more information closer to the event.
