News dated
On 4 November, ITU and UN-Habitat presented the Toolbox for People-Centred Smart Cities in the AI Era. Aimed at mayors, city managers and service leaders, it helps them decide where to use AI, what safeguards are needed and when not to use it. People must remain accountable for public decisions. [1]
The U4SSC working group connects this work to accessible services, transparency and training. Málaga, Dubai and Baghdad are named as the first pilot cities, with application of the new guidelines planned for 2027. The launch provides a shared reference; it does not yet demonstrate improvements in city services. [2]
The bright side
Considering when a technology should not be used is a useful part of introducing it responsibly. [2]
One idea, in simple words
City hall organises services for the people living in a city. Some artificial intelligence programs, or AI, can help process information. But who answers for the decisions? A guide presented on 4 November by two United Nations organisations says that people must remain responsible. [1]
The guide helps city leaders decide whether to use AI, what protections are needed and when it is better not to use it. Imagine an office wanting to give a task to a new program: first, it must check whether the program is suitable. This is an example, not a specific project already under way. Three cities are named as the first testing locations for 2027. Publishing the guide does not mean every problem has been solved. [2]
A little discovery to keep
What did you discover?
Straight from the source.
- United for Smart Sustainable Cities marks 10 years with guidance for using artificial intelligence in city services ITU · 4 Nov 2026
- Working Group 8 on Guiding Principles and Frameworks for People-Centred Smart Cities in the AI Era U4SSC · No publication date provided
Original reporting summaries prepared with AI assistance and accessible sources. Our editorial method.
