Smart Community Engagement for Inclusive Economies 🤝

Smart Community Engagement for Inclusive Economies 🤝

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changing force that is reshaping industries worldwide. In the sphere of public engagement, AI opens up a new realm of possibilities for cities and counties to cultivate more effective, economical, and equitable communication with diverse communities. The goal of AI is not to supplant human-centric community engagement but to amplify the voices of all community members, irrespective of age, language proficiency, or internet access. Here are some actionable insights for planners and policymakers on how to effectively use AI in community engagement:

1. Engage Youth with AI-Powered Educational Tools: Encouraging children's participation in community discourse can instill a sense of civic responsibility from an early age. Geogames, such as Minecraft, offer innovative platforms for learning and experimentation. They create immersive, engaging digital environments where children can explore, test, and express their creativity while designing for the future. Minecraft's Education Edition extends these possibilities by teaching students about various aspects of city planning, including infrastructure and public spaces. It also simulates real-world scenarios, fostering the development of critical thinking skills and decision-making strategies.
2. Implement AI for Cost-Effective Engagement: AI can make public engagement more cost-efficient. Traditional community engagements often incur substantial costs in organizing physical meetings. A portion of these costs can be saved using AI-powered digital engagement platforms. Cities like Denver have embraced such platforms, resulting in significant cost reductions in public engagement efforts.
3. Adopt Voice-Assistant Technologies: AI can level the playing field for equitable participation. For instance, senior citizens may find the digital world daunting. AI-powered tools like voice-assistant technologies can help overcome this digital divide. There has been a steady increase in voice assistant usage among the elderly over the past three years. Policymakers can utilize these tools to disseminate information and collect feedback. For instance, Los Angeles has integrated its public services with Alexa, enabling residents to access city services via voice commands. This feature is currently under beta testing in several cities, with plans for expanded features and information.
4. Promote Language Inclusivity with AI: AI can significantly enhance language inclusivity. Real-time translation services powered by AI can facilitate multi-lingual discussions, which is particularly beneficial in cities where a significant portion of the population speaks a language other than English at home.
5. Leverage AI-Driven Analytics for Targeted Engagement: AI-driven analytics can guide the creation of targeted engagement plans. Tools like Zencity utilize AI to analyze public sentiment from data sources, helping cities like Tel Aviv to prioritize policy decisions based on public opinion. Zencity has partnered with over 200 cities globally. In addition, analyzing feedback from public engagements can be labor-intensive and costly. AI platforms like Remesh employ Natural Language Processing to quickly identify key themes from public input, offering cost-saving and efficiency.
6. Ensure Responsible AI Use: While AI offers many benefits, it's crucial to use it responsibly. Policymakers should ensure that AI tools are used ethically and that data privacy is maintained. They should also be transparent about how AI is used in community engagement, building trust with the public. Such efforts include co-designing AI systems with communities, involving them as key collaborators in the process.

To provide an example, implementing AI for cost-effective engagement involves several steps:

·        Identify the Needs: Before implementing AI, it's crucial to understand the specific needs and objectives of your community engagement efforts. For instance, if your goal is to gather public opinion on a new city project, you might need an AI tool that can analyze large amounts of data from social media or online surveys. On the other hand, if you're trying to reach a demographic that prefers face-to-face interaction, you might consider AI tools that can facilitate virtual meetings or town halls.

·        Choose the Right AI Tools: There are many AI tools available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some tools are better suited for large-scale engagements, while others are more effective for targeted, small-scale interactions. Research and choose the AI tools that best fit your needs. Examples could include AI-powered survey tools, chatbots for real-time interaction, or AI-driven data analysis platforms.

·        Integrate AI Tools into Existing Processes: Once you've chosen the right AI tools, the next step is to integrate them into your existing community engagement processes. For instance, if you've been using traditional surveys to gather feedback, you could enhance this process by using an AI-powered survey tool that can analyze responses in real-time, providing instant insights.

·        Train Staff: It is important to ensure that your staff is comfortable using these new AI tools. This could involve arranging training sessions with the tool providers or hiring an AI consultant to provide ongoing support. For example, if you've decided to use an AI-powered data analysis tool, your staff will need to understand how to input data, interpret the results, and apply these insights to their work.

·        Monitor and Adjust: After implementing AI tools, it's crucial to monitor their effectiveness. This could involve tracking metrics like cost savings, increased engagement rates, or improved response times. For instance, if you've implemented an AI chatbot to handle common queries, you could track the number of queries handled by the bot and the average response time, adjusting the bot's programming as needed to improve performance.

·        Engage and Communicate with the Community: Transparency and inclusivity are key when implementing AI in community engagement. It's crucial to clearly explain to the community how AI is being used and the benefits it brings. This open dialogue can help build trust, encourage participation, and ensure that the AI tools are meeting the community's needs. Moreover, involving community members in the design process of the AI system is essential. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product is tailored to meet the needs of diverse groups within society, fostering a sense of ownership and acceptance. By doing so, we not only create AI systems that are more effective but also promote a more inclusive and engaged community.

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In closing, Artificial Intelligence transcends its role as a mere tool—it serves as a transformative agent, presenting a plethora of opportunities for community engagement. As we stand at the precipice of this technological revolution, the pertinent question is not merely about the adoption of AI, but about its judicious and effective utilization. It is incumbent upon planners, policymakers, and community leaders to leverage AI to foster a more inclusive, efficient, and economically viable community engagement process. The advancement of our urban landscapes is contingent upon this strategic approach.

To prepare the next generation of urban planners for these challenges and opportunities, let's initiate this critical discourse today in our schools, making them future-ready.

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Professor Laxmi Ramasubramanian, AICP Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning - ACSP Sweta Byahut Royal Town Planning Institute International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasia