Ethical AI governance in urban governance: normative, descriptive and prescriptive challenges and opportunities of autonomous vehicles

Purpose This paper aims to offer a systematic examination of the core challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation via autonomous vehicles (AVs) in urban governance (UG), and to explore their implications for ethical AI governance. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual analytical framework is grounded in a socio-technical structure for ethical AI governance, complemented by the AI life cycle and distributed responsibility perspectives. These perspectives are integrated to conceptually inform AV implementation in urban governance at the local government level, guiding future empirical studies and not presenting new empirical research. Findings This study identifies four core implications for the ethical governance of AI-driven automation: AVs in urban governance require a focus on legitimacy and ethical responsibility; automation must target areas where AVs clearly serve the public interest; trustworthy AI governance depends on legal clarity, responsibility, transparency and engagement; sustainable governance relies on continuous organizational learning. Originality/value This paper is original in bridging normative, descriptive and prescriptive perspectives. It introduces a new analytical approach to the study of AI-driven automation in UG. Its conceptual approach offers an innovative perspective on ethical AI governance.