Risk and safety in urban digital governance and AI-based planning

The New Zealand Government, in collaboration with local authorities, is actively harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to enhance efficiency in urban planning and decision-making. Despite these advancements, significant concerns about the risks and safety implications of integrating AI within public sector operations persist.

Our project is specifically aimed at addressing these critical issues. It has two primary goals: firstly, to investigate the concerns and risks associated with the use of AI in government planning processes, and secondly, to serve as a robust foundation for shaping New Zealand’s future digitisation policies. Our analysis seeks to identify the primary risks, providing practical insights that will empower policymakers.

These insights are intended to guide the development of strategies that not only mitigate risks but also strengthen the resilience and security of governmental digital initiatives. Ultimately, our research aims to support informed policymaking, ensuring that New Zealand’s digital evolution is marked by innovation, security, and responsible governance.

To address concerns associated with AI use and shape New Zealand’s future digitisation policies, our research will employ a mixed-methods approach in four major cities: Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Christchurch. We will conduct questionnaire-based surveys and face-to-face interviews with urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders from various sectors, including community and Māori planners and professionals from both private and public sectors who develop AI-based planning tools. Utilising established connections with the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), we will engage relevant participants to ensure a diverse and comprehensive data set.

Our approach includes:

• Quantitative analysis of survey data using statistical methods to identify trends, patterns, and correlations in stakeholders’ responses.
• Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts through discourse analysis to deconstruct the narratives.

This mixed approach will provide a holistic understanding of various stakeholders’ views on digital governance risks. The insights gathered will directly inform policy discussions, helping to guide secure, ethical, and responsive digital governance strategies that foster trust among citizens.

Our research aims to enhance safety by addressing risks associated with AI technologies in New Zealand’s public sector. We collaborate with the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, AI Forum, local communities, university groups and researchers to assess AI’s potential threats to individuals and communities. This enables the central and local governments to develop regulations and strategies that mitigate these harms and risks.

Emphasising fairness, inclusivity, and transparency – core principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – we aim to prevent AI-driven discrimination, particularly against ethnic minorities. Our research outcomes will guide policymakers, local governments, and agencies like the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in creating safer public interactions through the process of digitalisation of governance and AI-based Planning. By equipping these entities with required information to counteract biases in AI applications and digitalisation, our project helps ensure that technological advancements and digitalisation in government benefit all segments of society equally and safely.

The World Risk Poll data is foundational to our project, providing a structured and comprehensive perspective on public perceptions of AI risks globally, including in New Zealand. This data allows us to pinpoint specific concerns and attitudes toward AI, which are crucial for tailoring our research approach and methodologies. Without the Poll, identifying nuanced public sentiments about AI risks would be significantly more challenging and less precise, potentially leading to less relevant research outcomes.

Utilising the World Risk Poll data, we can craft targeted interview questions and develop detailed surveys that directly address the concerns highlighted in the Poll. This ensures our research is grounded in actual public sentiment, enhancing the relevance and impact of our findings. Moreover,  through this data-driven approach, our project aims to foster safer urban digital governance by aligning policy interventions with community needs and perceptions, ultimately leading to more informed and effective decision-making.

To maximise our research's impact, we will engage stakeholders through workshops and presentations in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Christchurch. Our affiliation with the University of Auckland's School of Architecture and Planning, which educates most of New Zealand's planners and policymakers, allows us to integrate research outcomes into our planning programs as teaching materials. We will leverage our established relationships with the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), local government officials, and private sector planners to incorporate our findings into practical governance frameworks.

Additionally, we plan to host a webinar with NZPI to disseminate research outcomes nationally. Our connections with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and prior collaborations with Auckland and Wellington councils enhance our dissemination capabilities. Finally, through our university service, we will distribute the final report to all relevant ministries and agencies nationwide.

To find out more about this project, get in touch with the project team: 

Dr Elham Bahmanteymouri, e.bahmanteymouri@auckland.ac.nz 

Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, mohsen.mohammadzadeh@auckland.ac.nz