Following consultation with our staff and a long period of research and training, Eurocities has begun integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our operations, adopting a cautiously optimistic approach. Our goal is to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of our work, while simultaneously elevating the quality of both our members’ experiences and our staff’s work environment, in line with our social and environmental strategy.
At the heart of our strategy is the belief that AI should augment, not replace, human intelligence. We use generative AI as a tool to assist in drafting various types of texts, ranging from emails and social media posts to more complex policy documents and resources. As this integration progresses, we believe it will allow our staff to focus their cognitive skills on higher-level tasks and big-picture thinking, areas where AI cannot compete with the human mind. We ensure that all outputs, especially those that are public-facing, are subjected to thorough human oversight before publication.
Our experimentation with AI is not limited to text, and occasionally extends to generating images for diverse purposes. However, we maintain a firm policy against creating images of, or purporting to represent, real individuals or events. This aligns with common ethical standards while also preserving the authenticity and integrity of our communication channels.
Eurocities promotes a culture of innovation and experimentation with AI technologies. We empower our team to explore the potential of AI, guided by a common-sense approach. However, this exploration is not unchecked. We maintain vigilant oversight through continuous staff engagement and training, ensuring that the use of AI aligns with our organisational values and goals.
In handling sensitive data, Eurocities strictly adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We do not share private details or sensitive information with AI systems, prioritising the confidentiality and privacy of our members and stakeholders. We are also clear in our stance that AI is not entrusted with decision-making tasks, such as CV selection or any form of internal systems automation.
Our approach to the use of AI is iterative and consensus based, and continues to evolve as more is understood about this technology, and as the technology itself improves. The use of AI in our organisation is overseen by an AI Controller, in cooperation with our GDPR Controller, and under the guidance of our Strategy Team. It is also regulated by an AI policy, which forefronts transparency, risk management, human oversight, and the training and empowerment of our staff.