AI is watching you: How to ethically capture urban data for smart cities

If you live in a city, it’s more likely than not that data is being gathered all around you, the majority of the time. From weather conditions, to traffic patterns and parking, the public is often unaware as to the scale of surveillance that is being used to keep things running smoothly. 

Now, Monash University has released a report detailing how we can use this data ethically in order to better plan for inclusive and smart future cities. 

The report, from the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETLab) in collaboration with the City of Melbourne, zeroes in on how real-time data can be gathered and used, to improve the city and empower the population. 

Using technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, local governments can track things like transportation, sanitation, and climate, to improve urban efficiency and enhance quality of life. 

This data is already being gathered constantly in most urban areas, so it is important that it be used ethically and for the public good.

The City Sensing Data Futures Project report collected information from participants interacting with live data-gathering points in Melbourne’s Argyle Square from February to June 2021. 

ETLab director Professor Sarah Pink said the research aims to set a tangible path towards facilitating public engagement with city data, while encouraging “core values” such as privacy and communication.  

“The actual designs and structures created for Argyle Square drew on our in-depth research with people who use the square. 

 “We used bold colours and created a ‘family’ of characters to encourage playful engagement with the installation. People could access the city data through QR codes using their smartphones or learn about how the City collects data through the printed explanatory labels which were aimed at people without digital devices.” 

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she hopes the research will make public data more accessible to the community. 

“Melbourne is a smart city and we want to work with the community to design, develop and test new ways to share data and knowledge for the benefit of all. This research from ETLab will build on our open data approach so that we can share our use of technology and collection of data with the community in new and exciting ways.”  

The report sets out ten suggestions for cities to collect and use public data ethically, which include: 

• ensuring that public data sensing models preserve trust, privacy, transparency, open communication and care – the “core values” 
• incorporating local values and practices into city data sensing
• creating multiple interactive ways for the public to engage with city data sensing, ensuring it is inclusive of all ages, abilities and diversities
• facilitating a two-way dialogue between the city and the public through smartphone technology 
• providing self-care information on topics including UV alerts and real-time updates on the number of pedestrians or park users 
• encouraging a better understanding of public data as an educational community asset