The AI and the City conference provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange on the transformative role of AI in urban contexts. This conference is sponsored by the School of Cities India at the University of Toronto and the Center for Information Technology and Public Policy at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore in collaboration with UTIF (University of Toronto India Foundation).
Call for papers
In addition to invited keynote sessions and industry panels, we also invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to submit papers that delve into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and urban dynamics and foster innovative solutions and insights for creating smarter, more inclusive, and sustainable cities of the future. We are interested both in papers that seek to leverage AI and those which critique its possible uses and impacts. Topics of Interest include:
- AI solutions: AI-driven solutions for urban governance, such as predictive analytics for decision-making, smart infrastructure management, and resource allocation.
- Ethical governance: Ethical considerations and social implications of AI deployment in urban contexts, with a focus on issues around inequality and social justice, including critical evaluations
- Mobility: Applications of AI in urban mobility, including but not limited to autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, ride-sharing platforms, drones, urban logistics and public transportation systems.
- Urban policy and planning: Innovative approaches to state-sponsored AI-based initiatives for cities, including land use planning, property evaluation, public-private partnerships, regulatory frameworks, and actual implementation strategies that may be tenuously connected to AI technology.
- Healthcare: AI applications in urban healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, access to care, and public health management.
- Green AI: AI applications including but not limited to renewable energy solutions, emission reductions, and managing urban heat islands as well as the electricity demands for AI systems.
- Cybersecurity and data privacy: Legal frameworks for regulating AI in urban environments, with a focus on data privacy and surveillance.
- Effects on employment: The role of urban robotics, impact of AI on urban labor markets, employment patterns, and workforce skills development.
- Economic development: Role of AI in fostering economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation within cities.
Submission guidelines
We welcome original research papers, case studies, and policy analyses that address the conference theme and topics of interest. Submissions should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Abstracts: Maximum 300 words, clearly outlining the purpose, methodology, and key findings of the proposed paper.
- All submissions must be in English and follow APA citation style.
- Please submit your abstracts by October 1st through the conference submission form. For any inquiries or assistance regarding submissions, please contact research.sofc@utoronto.ca.
Authors may be invited to submit their papers to a special issue of a journal; negotiations are currently underway.
Important dates
- Abstract submission deadline: October 1, 2024
- Notification of acceptance: October 15, 2024
- Full paper submission deadline: December 10, 2024
- Conference dates: January 4-5, 2025
Conference details
Details of accommodation options will be posted shortly. If possible we will provide accommodation for students free of charge.
Fees
- $150 (USD) for international faculty and postdoctoral fellows
- $100 (USD) (Rs.8000) for Indian faculty
- Free for students
Keynote speakers
- Prof Simon Marvin School of Architecture, Design and Planning University of Sydney and Urban Institute University of Sheffield.
Organizing and scientific committee
- Yuko Aoyama, Clark University (USA)
- Karen Chapple, School of Cities, University of Toronto (Canada)
- Subhro Guhathakurta, Georgia Institute of Technology (USA)
- Jaya Nair, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) (India)
- Balaji Parthasarathy, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) (India)
- Sachit Rao, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) (India)
- Karan Singh, University of Toronto (Canada)
- Srinath Srinivasa, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) (India)
- Matthew Zook, University of Kentucky (USA)
