people-powered gen ai


2024

People-Powered Gen AI: Collaborating with Generative AI for Civic Engagement

Norman B. Leventhal Center for Advanced UrbanismCivic Data Design Lab
Sarah Williams
Nigel Jacob
Adi Kupershmidt
Rohit Priyadarshi Sanatani
Minwook Kang
Wil Jones
Hannah Nicole Shumway
Addy Smith-Reiman

MIT
Sara Beery
Eden Medina  

Boston University
Christopher Conley 

City of Boston
Michael Lawrence Evans 
Santiago Garces 

Emerson College
Eric Gordon
 

People-Powered Gen AI: Collaborating with Generative AI for Civic Engagement


Cities globally have begun experimenting with using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) for civic engagement. Civic engagement is essential to a well-functioning government and involves the various interactions between the public and the city to share information and make decisions. Using Gen AI for civic engagement holds much potential, including the deployment of chatbots, language translation, synthesis of complex and technical documents, visioning and co-creation of design ideas, data visualization, and simulation and scenario planning. However, with these opportunities comes numerous concerns for the accuracy of results, algorithmic bias, private sector involvement, digital equity, and environmental costs. Our review of emerging projects combined with data from conversations with city officials illustrates the importance of human oversight and contextualization when working with Gen AI for civic engagement. Without this oversight, inaccurate results might be mistaken for fact, and the biases inherent in large language models (LLMs) might reinforce dominant culture narratives—the outcomes of which would surely erode public trust. Given these risks, we argue that the successful integration of Gen AI for civic engagement must be powered by people who use their judgment to validate outputs, mitigate potential errors, contextualize results, and build trust between the government and the community. This people-centered approach requires developing methods to involve communities in decisions about how AI tools should shape city–resident interactions and the design of guidelines for how Gen AI can be used responsibly and ethically for civic engagement.

2024
︎︎︎ Playbook (Coming soon)

Generative AI playbook

Norman B. Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism &Civic Data Design Lab
Sarah Williams (Director)
Wil Jones (Project Manager)
Rohit Sanatani
Gabi Carucci

City of Boston
Michael Evans

Generative AI playbook


The Generative AI Playbook for Civic Engagement serves as a practical, research-driven guide to help city officials, urban planners, and community organizations integrate generative AI responsibly and effectively in public engagement efforts. Building on research from workshops with the City of Boston, the playbook translates theoretical insights into actionable frameworks that support urban practitioners in navigating the complexities of AI-augmented civic processes. With its focus on enhancing, rather than replacing, human-centered participation, the playbook offers a step-by-step approach to AI integration that reinforces public trust, transparency, and inclusivity.

Centered on a "people-powered" methodology, the playbook equips civic leaders with practical tools and ethical frameworks to address pressing challenges like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and digital equity. Through comprehensive technical primers, clear implementation guides, and focused real-world case studies, the playbook enables urban practitioners to deploy AI tools that enhance community engagement while prioritizing equity and ethical responsibility.

Key Components
Designed as a practical toolkit, the playbook includes:
  • Step-by-step guides for incorporating AI in community workshops, charrettes, and public forums
  • Technical primers that contextualize AI fundamentals for urban planning applications
  • Best practices for transparent communication about AI’s role and limitations in civic processes
  • Guidelines for ensuring equitable access and accessibility in AI-driven engagement initiatives
  • Decision frameworks for selecting AI tools based on engagement needs and project goals
  • Case studies illustrating successful AI applications in urban planning and community engagement

Impact
The Generative AI Playbook bridges the gap between research and real-world application, providing a pathway for urban practitioners to responsibly integrate AI into civic engagement practices. By focusing on transparency and accountability, the playbook helps municipalities implement AI in ways that support community agency, strengthen public trust, and enhance participatory governance. Its frameworks are adaptable for pilot programs, allowing practitioners to incrementally explore AI’s role in public service while upholding the essential values of equity and inclusivity.

Research Foundation
Rooted in the People-Powered Gen AI research collaboration between MIT and the City of Boston, the playbook draws on in-depth workshops with city officials, community leaders, and residents to provide a nuanced understanding of AI’s opportunities and challenges in civic contexts. This iterative approach ensures that the playbook is informed by practical insights and addresses the unique needs of civic practitioners seeking to responsibly integrate AI into public engagement initiatives.