Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important part of municipal policy and practice. This article analyses how ecosystem and multi-level dynamics influence the uses and governance of AI in municipalities. Based on the case of Quebec, this research is based on a qualitative methodology. It combines the analysis of 57 press articles, 20 municipal documents, 26 semi-structured interviews with ecosystem actors, as well as a network analysis aimed at mapping the actors and their interdependencies. The results show that AI adoption is strongly shaped by structural power asymmetries, partial outsourcing of governance, and intermediation mechanisms dominated by technology companies and intermediary organisations. While flexible forms of coordination encourage experimentation and learning, the absence of operational frameworks and control mechanisms increases the risk of technocentric governance. The article highlights the need to strengthen the governance capacities of municipalities and to rethink AI regulatory frameworks from an ecosystem perspective. This is in order to promote a more responsible and equitable deployment of urban AI.
Leandry Jieutsa (Wed,) studied this question.
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