Artificial Intelligence and the Sustainability of African Cities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the trajectories of cities worldwide. In Africa, rapid urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for the adoption of AI to address current issues and needs. AI has the potential to make African cities more sustainable and to support urban development with applications spanning across all types of urban infrastructure and public services delivery. This includes, for instance, transportation, water supply and distribution, sanitation and waste management, energy and telecommunications, security and housing, healthcare, food systems, education, cultural activities, and community engagement. However, the global adoption of AI is also impacting African cities by creating significant pressure on local economies, political systems, and natural and cultural landscapes, namely through the increasing demand for resources and data. Therefore, cities are facing critical challenges when it comes to balancing the dual goals of leveraging AI for sustainability and ensuring that AI systems themselves are sustainable, equitable, and culturally appropriate.

We welcome submissions that adopt interdisciplinary approaches and refer to at least one of the following subtopics:

1. AI supporting a sustainable path for African cities

How is AI enabling new opportunities for sustainable transportation and improved infrastructures, equitable healthcare, food security, accessibility to services, and empowerment of communities and vulnerable groups?

How can AI systems be designed, implemented, and governed in ways that are ethically sound, energy-efficient, and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

2. The environmental and social challenges of AI for African cities

How is the global adoption of AI impacting African territories and communities?

How is AI forcing changes in policy and local economies?

How is AI governance and regulation impacting innovation and widespread adoption of AI by local governments in African cities?

What are the challenges and opportunities in making AI more sustainable from an economic, technical, and social perspective?

3. Responsible AI and urban resilience

What systems of values and principles are guiding AI alignment?

How can AI contribute to building resilient cities that are capable of adapting to environmental, economic, and social changes?

How can AI be used to address the specific challenges of informal settlements such as infrastructure gaps, lack of resources, and social inequalities?