Encounters with citizens around artificial intelligence – the AI4Citizens project launches with discussion events
Throughout the autumn, Project Manager Aino-Maija Vaskelainen and Planner Niko Juppi, who are working on the project, have participated in various citizen discussion events focused on artificial intelligence. Vaskelainen and Juppi have, for instance, visited the Tampere Children's Parliament, attended discussion groups for retirees at the adult education center, participated in the development day for educational leaders in the Tampere region, joined the Erätauko discussion on AI organized by the Postal Museum, and held a future workshop for ninth-graders during the Vaikuta! event.
– In these discussions, we have explored what artificial intelligence actually is. It is much more than just generative AI. We’ve talked about how the city is currently utilizing AI, how it might do so in the future, as well as the related ethics and governance models under development. We’ve gathered citizens’ questions, thoughts, dreams, and concerns, Vaskelainen explains.
– Many participants have wanted to discuss AI-related news they’ve seen in the media, where the influence of clickbait headlines is sometimes apparent. Children and young people, on the other hand, tend to approach AI with a more curious and investigative mindset, Juppi reflects.
Towards AI literacy
At the discussion events, Vaskelainen and Juppi introduced bookmarks that participants were encouraged to decorate freely. According to Vaskelainen, the bookmarks are closely tied to the project’s current theme: AI literacy.
– AI literacy is crucial because it helps people understand artificial intelligence, its associated phenomena, and its impacts. It encompasses fundamental knowledge of AI and how it works. AI literacy also connects to general literacy, critical thinking, and data literacy. Importantly, it includes a human dimension: emphasizing curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to learn, Vaskelainen explains.
Vaskelainen highlights the interactive nature and atmosphere of the discussion events.
– These valuable encounters have also enriched my own worldview and perspective on AI, Vaskelainen reflects.
Juppi shares Vaskelainen’s sentiment regarding the significance of these meetings in shaping his own understanding of AI.
– Discussions with people from different age groups have deepened my understanding of both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, Juppi notes.
An international urban community as support
According to Vaskelainen, the project’s EU foundation and international cooperation enable cities and organizations to share experiences and develop solutions together, leading to better practices and innovations. The project’s partner cities and organizations gathered for the first time in June in Tampere.
– Over the autumn, we have all begun our respective project activities, and soon we will be able to discuss our experiences. This collaboration broadens perspectives, helps define shared goals, and identifies effective methods to advance the projects. Learning together and international cooperation are integral to Tampere’s way of working, including in this project, Vaskelainen states.
AI governance model creates common rules for cities
The next phase of the project involves designing an AI governance model, which will establish common rules and shared understanding regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence. The City of Tampere has already defined ethical principles for the use of AI.
– Our aim is to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation within the city organization through AI-related experiments and development projects. Additionally, we are planning an AI register, which will include a list of current AI solutions and algorithms in use. As part of the project, we will also compile an AI library containing information on how AI has been utilized in Tampere. In Tampere, as in Finland more broadly, the public sector has a long and distinguished history of leveraging data sciences, Vaskelainen explains.
Citizen discussion events on AI will continue in the spring, including during the Future Day event at Metso Library on March 7, 2025.
