Fate of AI for Smart City Services in India: A Qualitative Study

With the rollout of the smart city initiative in India, this study explores potential risks and opportunities in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) for citizen services. The study deploys expert interview technique and the data collected from various sources are analyzed using qualitative analysis. It was found that AI implementation needs a critical examination of various socio-technological factors to avoid any undesirable impacts on citizens. Fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics (FATE) play an important role during the design and execution of AI-based systems. This study provides vital insights into AI implications to smart city managers, citizen groups, and policymakers while delivering promised smart city experience. The study has social implications in terms of ensuring that proper guidelines are developed for using AI technology for citizen services, thereby bridging the ever-critical trust gap between citizens and city administration.