Civic AI

Project Information

Amidst the global rush towards digitization, public sectors worldwide face challenges in service delivery, often marked by a lack of personnel and dynamic life trajectories. Civic AI proposes an value driven approach to AI in public services, tailored to enhance civic agency in handling of life events. This concept explores the potential of AI to act not only as a tool for efficiency but as an advocate for citizen empowerment, situated within the context of Nordic public administration.

The project emerges from the need to address the disempowering nature of automated public services that typically overlook the nuanced needs of citizens. By advocating for a shift from traditional service delivery models to one that involves AI, the project aims to create a more empathetic, responsive public service system that respects and promotes individual agency.

Method

Speculative Design Approach

The research employs speculative design as a method to project and test the potential futures of AI in public services. Through this approach, scenarios and a system were constructed to explore the implications and integration of AI in managing complex citizen interactions during significant life events.

Stakeholder Engagement and Iterative Feedback 

Engagement with stakeholders, including public sector representatives and citizens, played a crucial role. Workshops and interviews were conducted to gather insights and feedback, which informed the design process.

Results

Empowerment Through Slow AI

The application of slow AI principles in the project led to the development of an AI system that priorities slow interaction over efficiency driven automation. The system is designed to provide citizens with control over their data and interactions, ensuring a deeper understanding and participation in their service consumption.

The system and interfaces of the Civic AI system demonstrates different exploration points of agency.