In a global context where digital transformation is an unstoppable reality, the Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool to improve efficiency, the quality of services and decision-making in public administrations. The Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) is no stranger to this trend and is considering how to incorporate this family of technologies in a strategic and responsible way; This article aims to illustrate how a public consortium approaches the adoption of AI in a sustainable way and with a vision of adding value.
For the Barcelona ATM, the approach to adopting AI is based on three key principles that ensure ethical, sustainable use aligned with the values of public administration:
- Implementing sustainable AI at a social, economic and environmental level. Sustainability must be a central axis in the implementation of AI in public administration and this implies guaranteeing that it benefits all citizens, without exclusions or inequalities, ensuring that the costs are justified by the benefits it provides, and reducing the carbon footprint associated with AI, prioritizing the use of renewable energies and optimizing the energy consumption of systems.
- Apply an inclusive and plural AI, free from bias and aligned with human values. AI must be a tool that promotes inclusivity and equality. For this reason, the ATM must commit to designing systems that do not perpetuate inequalities and that take into account the diversity of the population. Furthermore, it is essential to guarantee transparency and privacy, ensuring that citizens can trust AI and understand how decisions are made. AI systems must be explainable, so that users can understand their actions and decisions. In this sense, it is essential that the ATM establishes supervision mechanisms over algorithms provided by third parties, requiring suppliers to provide clear documentation on the operation of these systems, the decision-making criteria and the measures applied to mitigate possible biases. This will not only ensure rigorous control, but will also strengthen the trust of citizens and mobility users in AI solutions used in public services.
- Promoting prudent and responsible use of AI. AI is not a universal solution, but a tool that must be applied selectively and intelligently and, therefore, its use should be promoted only when its benefit greatly exceeds its cost, both economic and social or environmental. Furthermore, it is crucial that it is a tool at the service of public administration, without replacing human judgment or the responsibility of managers. For this reason, control and evaluation mechanisms must be established to ensure that AI is used responsibly and efficiently. The ATM must guarantee that the algorithms used in its services comply with current regulations on security, personal data protection and non-discrimination. The implementation of a transparency policy in the use of AI, which includes periodic audits and reports accessible to citizens, will contribute to a safer and more equitable artificial intelligence model.
In order to apply these principles, the ATM will have to define a clear vision of the objectives it wants to achieve with AI, identifying key areas such as public transport management, sustainable mobility or mobility characterization and planning. This vision must be aligned with the values of public administration: transparency, equity, efficiency and service to the community. For example, AI could help optimize public transport routes in real time in an integrated manner, reducing waiting times and improving the user experience.
The adoption of AI is not a path that can be taken alone, and therefore the ATM must consider close collaboration with other administrations, universities, research centers and technology companies to share knowledge, resources and experiences. This collaboration must not only facilitate access to innovative solutions but also ensure that the implementation of AI is inclusive and beneficial for the whole of society. In this sense, the participation of the ATM as a member of CIDAI has been a key factor in providing an essential impetus in the identification of benefits and opportunities in the adoption of AI.
To successfully adopt AI, it will be necessary to have a robust technological infrastructure and a team of trained professionals. This involves investing in tools and platforms that allow managing large volumes of data, as well as training administration workers in digital skills and data analysis. In addition, it will be essential to create a work environment that encourages innovation and creativity, allowing teams to experiment with new solutions and learn from mistakes.
Finally, the success of the implementation of AI will depend largely on the acceptance and trust of citizens and to achieve this the ATM must communicate clearly and transparently how AI is being used, what benefits it hopes to obtain and what mechanisms have been established to guarantee responsible use. Furthermore, it is important to open spaces for dialogue with citizens to listen to their concerns and expectations.
To move from planning to execution, the ATM will have to define a set of specific actions that allow the use of AI to be consolidated in a structured and sustainable way. These first steps in adopting AI can be summarized as:
- Adapt the organizational structure. It is essential to create and train a team dedicated to leading the implementation of AI, ensuring that it is aligned with the strategic objectives of the ATM. This team could include roles such as a Chief AI Officer or reinforce the roles of the existing Chief Information Officer (CIO). In addition, a multidisciplinary committee will need to be formed to oversee the use of AI, ensuring its positive impact and regulatory compliance. It is also necessary to strengthen the legal and cybersecurity areas to manage aspects such as data protection and compliance with regulations such as the GDPR.
- Secure the necessary financing. Implementing AI requires significant investments in infrastructure, training, and development. For this reason, it will be necessary to include the concept of AI in the ATM budgets and explore sources of external funding, such as European subsidies or alliances with technology companies and research centers.
- Deploy priority use cases. A good starting point is to select high-impact, low-risk pilot projects that allow the benefits of AI to be evaluated and their implementation to be adjusted before scaling them to other areas. The ATM manages T-mobility, which is a digital ecosystem for interaction between the user and public transport, and which must become a key service for identifying these added value use cases. It will be key to monitor and evaluate the results to ensure that the established objectives are met.
- Guarantee data quality and governance. AI depends on reliable and accessible data. For this reason, it is necessary to update the catalog of available data, especially real-time data, and define clear policies for its governance and maintenance. This includes ensuring the interoperability of systems and the protection of sensitive data.
- Establish a monitoring and continuous improvement system. AI implementation is not a static process. A periodic monitoring system will need to be established to evaluate the performance of projects and adjust the strategy according to emerging needs or the emergence of new technologies. This flexibility will allow us to adapt to changes and maximize the impact of AI.
In conclusion, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into a public administration such as the Barcelona ATM represents a strategic opportunity to transform mobility in the Barcelona area, making it more efficient, sustainable and adapted to the needs of citizens. With an approach based on sustainability, inclusiveness and responsibility, and with a structured implementation that includes organizational reinforcement, adequate funding and prioritization of actions, the ATM can become a benchmark in the innovative use of AI in the public sector. Despite the challenges that this process entails, careful planning and a determined commitment will allow us to promote a more intelligent, connected mobility model aimed at improving people’s quality of life.
