AI and the Transformation of Accountability and Discretion in Urban Governance

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in urban governance presents significant opportunities to transform decision-making and enhance accountability. With advancements in Generative AI (GenAI), AI technology has become more accessible, promoting data-driven governance approaches across various tasks. The paper highlights AI’s potential to reposition human discretion and reshape specific types of accountability, elevating the decision-making capabilities of both frontline bureaucrats and managers while ensuring ethical standards and public trust are maintained. The concept of "accountable discretion" is introduced to describe how AI can augment discretion without sacrificing accountability. Following the literature review and theoretical discussion, this paper introduces a set of guiding principles for AI-enhanced, city-level governance, emphasizing AI’s potential to support human judgment while mitigating risks of uneven capacity magnification, ensuring equitable data governance, fostering accountable human-AI collaboration, and city-level governments’ role in mediating public perceptions. This discussion advocates for responsible AI adoption through institutional measures that enhance public service delivery while addressing technical and ethical challenges.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Discretion, Accountability, Bureaucracy, Urban Governance