Data and AI enable the city to automate operations more efficiently and improve the quality of services and, therefore, there is a desire to make more use of them. However, there are ethical issues involved, which is why the principles have been established.
Data accumulates in large parts of the city’s operations, such as in transport systems or when using city services. AI is a tool which enables, supports and enhances the use of the city’s data.
A total of eight ethical principles
There are eight principles, and by following them, the city minimises the risks associated with data and AI.
The ethical principles are:
- People-orientedness
- We develop services based on data and AI for the benefit of people and with people in mind.
- Transparency
- We communicate as transparently as possible how and where we use data and AI.
- Explainability
- We can explain the general operating logic of a single result or algorithm in an understandable way.
- Fairness and equality
- The basis for the use of data and AI solutions is respect for everyone’s dignity and rights.
- Responsibility and maintaining trust
- For each service that uses AI, we assign a responsible party that our customers can contact.
- Privacy
- We handle personal data carefully and securely throughout the life cycle of the system.
- Security
- Systems using data and AI are well protected and controlled.
- Under human control
- The person responsible is able to monitor and control the operations of the system and intervene, if necessary.
The principles also include a list of questions that the city’s AI developers can use to assess the practical implementation of the principles.
The City of Helsinki invites citizens, staff and businesses to hear more about the principles
The City of Helsinki invites its residents, staff and businesses to learn more about and discuss the ethical principles of data and AI. At these events, the city representatives who drafted the ethical principles will present the principles, after which the guidelines will be further developed through discussion.
A discussion open to all city residents will be held on Thursday, 8 December at 17:30–19:30 at the Event Square of the Helsinki City Hall (entrance via Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13).
