Ethical AI in the City of Tampere

We are living in the age of AI and data-driven possibilities. This development is a logical continuation of the digital transformation we have been experiencing for a long time. Many changes have already occurred, and they are here to stay. The development continues to move forward. It is essential to pause and reflect on what has already changed, what we have learned, what we want to do differently, and what we hope for in the future. We all need to exercise our influence over the future and not just wait for things to happen. AI should belong to all of us, and discussing it is key to building a democratic future.

Ingredients for Ethical AI

AI is multifaceted. As mentioned, it is the era in which we live. It encompasses phenomena, change, action, data, and yes — the tools and technologies. Most importantly, AI is about us — our understanding, our skills, and our decisions. What we decide to do, with or without AI.

Discussions about AI are never truly finished — they are part of an ongoing journey of continuous development and learning. We humans decide how to proceed — we choose the ingredients and develop the so-called recipes for AI.

The City of Tampere has been working with data-driven decision-making and data science for a long time. Traces of AI utilization already date back to the last decade. In addition to this strong foundation, we have invested in these topics in many ways over the past couple of years (3rd wave of AI, generative AI). The AI4Citizens project is one example. We have identified key ingredients related to the use of AI, which we actively work on. A broad picture can be formed around these themes:

• Governance and good practices
• Responsibility and impact
• AI literacy and inclusivity
• Communication, participation, diversity

The purpose of the recipes for good and ethical AI is to identify the ingredients for future use and develop our skills and capabilities. All of us together, will build our preferred recipes from them. These recipes are like evolving blueprints, always adapting to new insights and innovations. As the well-known mantra goes, change is constant, so we focus on continuous development and, especially, on learning new things. This is best achieved through open dialogue and cooperation. The voice of the citizens must be heard.

AI for all, all for AI!