The Dark Side of Smart Cities

Cities and citizens are benefitted and affected by algorithms in multiple ways. The smart city narrative promises innovative solutions to urban problems, from optimization algorithms for traffic congestion to waste collection and air quality monitoring, resulting in better planning. However, there is a dark side to the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our cities, especially because the supposed smartness is often accepted as optimal without questioning the source data and how it is used. The lack of an intersectional perspective in data collection and processing results in algorithms reproducing systems of oppression and inequity, for example, the racially coded bias of surveillance mechanisms, or the disproportionate prioritization of vehicular traffic studies over pedestrian traffic. These are just some of the ways smart cities can be an obstacle to urban prosperity because they are not inclusive. Integrating a gender perspective is key to producing a radical innovation for cities, improving their health and sustainability. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Manuel Cebral-Loureda, Elvira G. Rincón-Flores and Gildardo Sanchez-Ante.

The Dark Side of Smart Cities Book in Scopus