Urban AI for social good: mapping research directions and imperatives

Laurie A. Schintler, Connie L. McNeely and Vasilii Nosov

Chapter 15 in Handbook on Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Cities, 2025, pp 309-326 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: As cities continue to grow, they face challenges in terms of sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The use of artificial intelligence for social good (AI4SG) has emerged to address these issues, aligning with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a specific focus on cities—what we refer to as ‘urban AI4SG.’ To help gauge progress regarding urban AI4SG, this chapter summarizes applied urban AI modeling in scientific literature, assessing its alignment with the UN SDGs and coverage, in terms of cities and regions. The chapter examines the ethical considerations related to the design and use of these AI models, particularly as they pertain to urban areas. The analysis indicates an increase in urban AI4SG applications in scholarly publications, but the focus is limited to a select range of SDGs and regions around the world. These findings may guide further research and shape policies in urban AI4SG.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Cities; AI4SG; Ethics; UN SDGs; Sustainability; Urban AI4SG (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803928043
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